The expression
"Hammer Down Gang",
the name we call ourselves,
evokes many
opinions...
In the days of early ham, (amateur operation), enthusiast had to
construct and maintain their own equipment.
In those days, it was common to see a pole pig and other transformers in
the corner of a ham's shack and wires running everywhere to supply the enormous
current necessary to light the filaments and supply the other currents and
voltages in the quart sized vacuum tubes used in their radios and
transmitters.
In their operation, it was not a foregone conclusion that their
transmitters would fire when it came their turn to talk. Therefore, when they brought the hammer down
in their exciters those contacts sounded like hammers as they were engaged to
power the very large envelopes. If all
went well their tubes glowed not unlike mercury vapor lights. It was an exhilarating experience as the
large tubes did their job.
So, when the transmitter was in operation they would talk their F.C.C.
allotted time before un-keying. The
phrase "While I have the hammer down,” was commonplace and meant
something.
There are those hams in operation today that have accepted and mimic the
practice from association with the old time hams of verbose conversation and
practices. This is not bad or nefarious
but rather very unlike eye to eye conversation with them personally or
conversation with others on the radio today, the day of off the shelf VOX
operated equipment.
Point being, "While I have the hammer down,” I sincerely hope
everyone enjoys this bit of nostalgia.
See you on the radio.
Leon,
WD8POF
Made America Free