There are a multiplicity of amateur radio pages available on the internet. Yet,
each one is unique and represents the individual interests of each operator and
station. My name is Jonnie Hutchison. I was first licensed in 1970 as a novice class
operator with the callsign WN0EDQ. At that time novice class tickets were issued for
a period of two years and were non-renewable (an incentive for upgrading to a higher
license class). Due to other interests I allowed my first novice ticket to expire
without upgrading. However, some time later I retook the novice test and was
liscensed with the callsign WN0MFV. My interest in radio begin early while
listening to an old Philico console radio with shortwave bands. My twin brother Ronnie
(now W4ET) and I used to listen to W0's and K0's operating in the AM mode on 75 and 40
meters and dream of the day when we too could be genuine Amateur Radio Operators with
those prestigious one by two callsigns.
Our interest in radio was futhered along by a Christmas gift from our father and
mother. Two 11 meter walkie talkies which we used extensively to communicate with one
another. These also had primitive CW capabilities by holding down the key and pressing a
button next to the PTT button. This was the beginning of learning the code that
would serve us well in later years when passing the 5 wpm code test for the novice ticket
and then the 13 wpm for the general and the 20 wpm for the extra class.
We were fortunate to have a high school teacher to serve as our elmer. Larry Atkinson,
K0LA was then licensed as K0JWN. Larry invited us over to his house for our first QSO (we
were mike shy). He gave us our novice exam and loaned us equipment to get on the air after
our tickets arrived. Our first station consisted of a crystal controled Heathkit
DX-40 transmitter, a Drake 1A receiver, and a dipole antenna for 40 and 15 meters.
Later we built a rotary dipole out of conduit pipe. Then we added a reflector and
literally worked the world with this equipment. DX /QSL cards soon decorated the
wall of our shack (our bedroom). And a lifelong love of amateur radio began.
Over the years I have held a variety of callsigns, mostly because I became a gospel
preacher and and have moved to different areas of the country. It used to be that
FCC rules required you to change callsigns if you moved to a different call area. My
first general callsign was WB5WRG which I obtained while living in Arkansas. I have
also held the following callsigns, N4IDY, N5DHU, N5JIM, and AA5AQ. On November
4, 1996 I was issued the callsign W4AW under the vanity callsign system. I have
finally realized that dream of many years ago of receiving one of those prestigious one by
two callsigns. I now reside in Taylorsville, NC and preach for the Liledoun Road Church of Christ.
Amateur Radio Operator W4AW is a member of the following organizations:
