Living Treasurers And Silent Keys
-- by Earl Shallenberger - Copyright 1998 -- magoo@epix.net

From approximately 1915 'til the advent of computers, Amateur Radio Operators ("Hams") had sole possession of what we now know as the world-wide "internet" - and until the post-WW2 era it was largely restricted to high speed Morse Code operation. Morse code is dying . . passing a noble 150 year era to a new age of electronic sophistication. (But many of its earliest pioneers were also brilliant "Hams" of the past).

Deceased "hams" are always remembered by the poignantly sad term "Silent Keys" . . . Today, many pioneers confined to Nursing Homes can still be heard plaintively calling their few remaining friends.

This IS an esoteric poem which will be confusing to many readers, but I wrote it several years ago for a banquet in remembrance of a devoted married couple (Silent Keys) who volunteered much to our hobby, our Boy Scouts, and our entire community. Soooo . . . with your indulgence, I submit it now as a tribute to yet another sadly "endangered specie", our pioneers of "The Golden Age" of amateur radio.

The Japanese have a long-cherished custom.
I commend it all nations, as well.
They bestow fame on "Living Treasures", by name;
While they're living - not after Death's knell.

Our hobby has world-wide "Living Treasures"
From all races - along all Seven Seas.
Those pioneers, licensed fifty or more years,
Carry memories of old "Silent Keys".

Without embassies, passports of visas,
They flashed thoughts from one nation to others.
With "88's" and "73's", in their own homes - at ease,
They embraced all Earth's sister and brothers.

They succeeded where tyrants and scholars had failed.
Human barriers were destroyed without plan.
Every human on Earth - every king, queen or serf -
May join their legacy - our "Fellowship of Ham".

They reduced English to its ultimate concisement,
Using "Q" signals and quaint brevities.
They still reminisce about old friends they miss -
"Pounding Brass" or "bugs" (old Vibroplex keys).

They suffered through man's diversions of war -
'Served honorably, while in silent despair;
All contact suspended with old "enemies" befriended,
'Til Peace! "FB OM glad Ur still there"!

They chat on the low ends of the "low bands",
Or gently guide lowly novices, like me.
They explain "thingamajigs" in their "home brew rigs"
Built from schematics in old "QST's"!

They're a stubborn old group of curmudgeons;
Some still solder "condensers" and "coils".
Keep that "Kenwood" and Yaesu - that new ICOM, too.
They get "59's" with their tubes and their toils.

I understand the thrill of rare contacts
With remote islands, or "third world" operators -
But my greatest elation is CW conversation
With "Living Treasures" who knew "Spark Generators"!

There's an old codger in upper New York State;
A violin master, who keeps prophesying.
At thirty words (plus) his last "chat" line to us
Is, "Keep sending Morse Music . . . it's dying"!

There are "bells and whistles" for all of us:
"Moon-bounce", packet, RTTY, Voice and TV's,
But my heart will chill when their "ether" is still,
And all their "brass" and "bugs", too, Silent Keys.

OH! There MUST be a "Ham Shack" in Paradise!
For "Living Treasures" who become "Silent Keys".
As life slips away on an old comrade's last day,
They guide him "home" on their "bugs'" joyous VEE's!

So, let us honor them, too, while they're with us;
They're STILL our mentors, despite frailties.
Dear audience and host - PLEASE join my solemn toast;
"To our Living Treasures . . and to God's Silent Keys!"

Old Magoo
(N3FDX)

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