by W3DJM (SK)

Until cable tv became common, TVI was the bane of ham radio! Just about every ham had his own horror stories...all except Carmine, W3IWD, but that's a whole 'nother story, HI!

Me, well, I always prided myself in keeping the peace in the neighborhood. Always kept a healthy supply of Drake Hi-Pass filters on hand. Found that by installing one on every tv in the neighborhood, the "Indians" were kept at bay. Still, there was always that one or two that defied such simple remedies.

But, I digress! It was back in the early sixties, maybe 1961 or '62. Band was up, and my trusty Gonset Communicator was humming along. I'd worked into Ft. Worth, Florida and, well......was having a real ball on SIX!

I can't say as I really remember just who I was working this particular night... I think it was Sam out in Cleveland, but that doesn't really matter. That is, the story's just as good without that end of the QSO. I do recall, however, that I was telling the other fellow about a special cake recipe my XYL had baked recently. It was a chocolate devils food, with a yummy fudge icing. Makes me hungry just in recalling, HI!

Well, after we signed, I think I had a couple more QSOs, then shut the Gonset down.....that cake in the kitchen was calling! Finished a healthy portion, then did the rest of the night's chores and turned in.

I think it was about two days later when I got The Call.

The XYL handed me the phone, and I heard a feminine voice at the other end, "Mr. Robins, is that you?"

"Yes," I replied, cautious, yet hoping to fend off any angry response by a reasonable and conciliatory tone.

"Well, Mr. Robins," the voice continued. "I just had to call. You see, I was watching tv the other night, when all of a sudden, there came this voice...right out of nowhere it came. And...and, I think I'm right here, Mr. Robins, I'm almost certain it was your voice."

Well, Mrs...."

"Bauker, Mr. Robins. Betty Bauker. It was along about nine o'clock or so. Yes, I remember now, because I always try to watch...."

"Mrs. Bauker," I replied, "yes, I was on the air at that time. I think I was talking to Sam out in Cleveland, and...."

"Yes, yes...that's the name of the other fellow. I recall you calling him Sam. Funny thing, though. I couldn't hear his side of the conversation."

I explained the nature of ham radio, how you couldn't always hear both sides of a QSO and all, then asked Mrs. Bauker where she lived so I could see if I could supply her with one of the Hi-Pass filters. But, I was quite surprised at her reply.

"Well, Mr. Robins, I live over in Donora [Pennsylvania], and I could just hear your side."

"Hmmmm, that is quite a ways. I've never got reports of tv interference that far away. I am sorry if I interrupted your tv show..."

"Oh, no. Don't worry 'bout that! It was a re-run anyways. The reason I'm calling is that recipe you were telling your friend Sam about. You see, just about half the way through it, my phone rang. My sister. Well, anyway, that chocolate devils food cake sounded sooooo delicious, and I just adore fudge icing!!! So, I'm calling to ask if you could give me the recipe!"

Well, as Betty Boop used to say, "You could knock me over with a fender." Quick as a wink, I had the XYL on the line passing on her recipe! So, when they ask me about SIX and TVI, I just wink myself, and say, "TVI on SIX....Piece of Cake!!!!" Chocolate Devils Food with fudge icing, that is, HI, HI!!

de K3LBP   Larry