July 1966 QST
Table
of Contents
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles
from
QST, published December 1915 - present (visit ARRL
for info). All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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"YL" in amateur-ese stands for "young lady."
It refers to any ham operator of the female gender regardless of age. I don't know how
many women were Hams in 1966 when this article appeared in QST, but according to
Communities of the Air: Introducing Radio to the World,
author Susan M. Squier, by 2003 women made up 40% of new license applicants. Judging
by amateur radio club rosters and field day events, YLs
don't make up anywhere near 40% of the Ham population, but maybe they just tend to shun
the public light. A 2008 presentation on the
YL Radio Website estimated 15% in 2000. I searched around the
Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL),
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the
Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) websites for current statistics but could not find
anything specifically about the percentage split between males and women. On a side note,
the first licensed YL in the U.S. was Emma Chandler, 8NH/W8NH of St. Mary's, Ohio, in
1918 (featured in QST issue October 1916).
"YL New and Views" Articles in QST
magazine
April 1953 |
October 1953
| November 1953 |
December 1953 |
July 1966 |
October 1966
YL News and Views

Conducted by Jean Peacor, K1IJV
Results: Seventeenth YL/OM Contest
 Smiling all the while - that's
Peg Harnois, K1GSF Editor for the new YL Harmonics. Peg is the daughter of K1EFZ of Westbrook,
Maine. [note the wheelchair]

First licensed in 1962, Brenda, WA4HOM, whose OM is Hess, WA4GCS,
is one of the top three for both the YL/OM c.w. and phone portions. Holder of DXCC (200
cfmd in 9 mos.), YLCC, WAC, WAS (7 mc. c.w.), Brenda is also a YLISSBer.

Pat Dyer, WA5NVY, had never seen a transmitter until August 1965,
passed her Novice the next month her General the next, and entered her first ham contest
this year. She's the 2nd place winner of the phone portion. This busy mother of three
has also earned, WAS, WAC, has 96 countries, is active in Navy Mars, and conducts code
classes for her OM and 8 other students.

Bob, W9LNQ, earned 3rd place phone honors this year using an RME 6900
and Valiant II with s.s.b. adaptor. Well known in many contests, Bob is also a member
of QCW A, ISSB, OTC, CHC, Hamfesters Radio Club and DXCC (240 cfmd) Photo caurtesy of
W9NLF.

The YLRL Forum at the National Convention provided this coast to coast
meeting of YLRL's Pres., Kayla, W0HJL, and V. Pres., Edie, K1EKO.
Rigs all over the land may still be in the process of cooling as a result of this
year's YL/OM test, judging from the many high scores. Whether you won - placed - or just
showed, there's no denying the fact that this test provided two exciting weekends of
radio activity. If it was your first year, there was the added excitement of everyone
and everything being new. Veteran contestants found pleasure just in hearing many of
the old faithfuls; many of whom have never missed a contest.
In the YL phone portion, Marte Wessel, K0EPE, turned in the highest score in many
a year for 1st place, which she also won in 1964 (see YL Column, July 1964). Ellen White,
W1YYM, (YL Column, October 1965) jumped from 3rd place winner of the c.w. portion in
1965 to another highest score ever for 1st place honors this year. Jessie Billon, WA60ET,
(YL Column, March 1964) has held one of the top scores for the past three years.
Dave Thompson, K5MDX, (see YL Column, July 1963) was high scorer for OMs in the phone
portion in 1963 and 1964, and has done it again in 1966. Ken Bauer, W9WGQ, who was 2nd
in the phone portion last year (see YL Column, July 1965), returned to capture 1st place
honors in the c.w. portion this year.
To paraphrase some comments from YLRL's Vice President, Edie McCracken, K1EKO, who
was chief log-checker this year - Sincere thanks for the many nice notes which accompanied
your logs. All suggestions for future con tests will be given careful consideration before
next year's rules are established.
Your logs have been carefully gone over, and any change made in your score is for
a good reason. First, check your multiplication. Then, check your claimed sections. We
use the ARRL section list, which is available from the V. P. for an s.a.s.e. Some of
you worked contacts only in the U.S. and Canada. Both of these countries are divided
into ARRL sections, and cannot also be counted as countries.
To the top 12 scorers - congratulations! To the more than 300 who took time to submit
a log, our thanks. Illegible logs were used for confirmation. Before you send in a log
next year, look at it again, and make sure you'd be willing to plow through at least
300 just like it. You'll have the sincere gratitude of the V. P. who has to check it.
1966 ARRL National Convention
April 23 and 24 found Boston's Prudential Center filled with between three and four
thousand of the best conventioneers you could ever find - all radio amateurs. Activities
for all were well planned by The Federation of Eastern Mass. Amateur Radio Assoc. who
sponsored another of their successful conventions.
The willingness with which many YLs assisted added greatly to the success of the YL
program which began with a fashion show completely organized by Millie Doremus, W1SVN.
Many YLs enjoyed the bus tour of historical Boston and Cambridge which followed and was
well managed by Eunice Gordon, W0KEH, ex·WIUKR.
YLRL President, Kayla Bloom, W0HJL, from Denver, Colorado, conducted the YLRL Forum.
Her excellent talk urged clubs and individuals to assist in an all out YLRL membership
drive: explained all that's being done in connection with YL Harmonic's changes in order
to make it a 'real' magazine as well as a financial asset to YLHL which would hopefully
result in lower dues for members; and encouraged all to make YLRL known to everyone.
The YL luncheon, wig demonstration, and talk on spices were all well attended, as
was the SWOOP party. As many suffering wives were initiated and received SWOOP certificates,
prizes galore were won by all the YLs as the) sang along with Ruth McNamara, KIRZO; Ruth
Barber, K1IIF and Pres of WRONE, also Co-Chairman for YL Activities at the Convention:
and K1IJV, while Rhea King, K1ERT, provided same fine piano playing.
YL Harmonic's New Look
As the comparatively new Editor of YL Harmonics (YLH), Peg Harnois, K1GSF, of Westbrook,
Maine has every right to beam (see photo). For, YLH, YLRL's bi-monthly publication, took
on an entirely new look in 1966 beginning with the Jan.-Feb. issue.
Drastic changes are not always easily accomplished, and Kayla, W0HJL, Pres. of YLRL,
and Peggy, as well as many other members, have made an all out attempt to provide additional
reading pleasure through YLH for all. If you haven't already seen it, extra copies are
available from W0HJL for $.50; or, subscriptions are available for $3.00 per year (YLs
receive YLRL membership).
YL Net News
The new officers for 1966 announced by the Loaded Clothes Line YL Net are a, follows:
Pres., W7GGV; V. Pres., K0EPE; Secy. K7WVT; Treas., K0WZN; Pub. Chr., K0GAS. Their net
meets every Monday at 1700 GMT on 7235 kcs. NCS is W7GGV.

Ken Keeler, K2EIU/5, is a Lt. and instructor pilot in the U.S.A.F.
at Webb AFB. His high scores in the 1960 YL/OM contest made him a big winner that year,
and he's done it again as this year's 2nd place scorer in both the c.w. and phone portions.
He has also earned 12 YL certificates as a result.
This passport picture of
Marlene Kaniuk, WA9FRW, of Morton Grove, Ill. will enable her to attend summer school
at St. Andrews College in Dundee, Scotland, with visits to both England and France also
planned. Marlene (now 17) is an active member of the Eye Bank Net and has had her General
license for four years. Photo courtesy of W9CDQ.
Posted December 27, 2018 (updated from original post on 2/6/2013)
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