Thanks to all of you who wrote to me this week expressing concern and prayers for my dad.  He is doing well, but lacks the social connections that we enjoy in amateur radio.  We may take it for granted when we are young how amazing ham radio can be in the retirement years,  and especially if we survive the death of a spouse and live alone.  Getting on the air in these years creates a destination and an opportunity to connect with other human beings, any time. What a valuable thing. 

I am still traveling in the USA and when you read this will be heading back to Israel.  In San Jose, I got to speak to the West Valley Amateur Radio Association hams about podcasting and the QSO Today podcast.  This was the first ham radio meeting that I attended in the USA since the late 70s.  WVARA appears to be an active club with lots to do. 

One of the points of my talk was the key role that the Novice license played in skill building of the majority of my 275 guests of the QSO Today podcast.  The Novice license allowed the entering ham the opportunity to appeal for help, as a "novice",  to find a mentor in a more experience amateur.  Building the first station, working with electronic tools, antennas, feed-lines, and operating practices were fundamental steps where successes built on each other.  The license upgrade was made on an established set of skills. 

The ability to go from zero to Extra in a single sitting, negates the series of practical skills that come from actually applying what we learn to getting on the air.  Since we cannot change the current licensing reality, as seasoned and experienced amateurs, we need to be on the lookout  for hams that have the jet pilot's license, but haven't yet made a successful landing, to steal a metaphor.   Matching mentors or Elmers to these Generals and Extras would nourish our community and share our valuable skill set.  In addition, we get the satisfaction of making an investment in another person who will contribute to our amazing hobby.  Find a novice to help.  He may be sitting next to you at your next radio club meeting. 

Kate Hutton, K6HTN, spent 37 years working for CalTech in Pasadena, California, in the Seismic Lab, predicting and measuring earthquakes.  She became the "earthquake lady" for the local news media.  Now retired, Kate is an active ham on the National Traffic System.  She shares her story in this week's QSO Today.