Jerry Powell didn't need the Net to send instant messages around the globe. For 72 years, the Kansas native chatted up comrades in more than 160 countries from a tricked-out ham radio in his basement. And Powell had postcards to prove it. His collection of 369 QSLs - highly stylized missives mailed from one operator to another to confirm radio contact - are presented in the new book Hello World: A Life in Ham Radio, by Danny Gregory and Paul Sahre (Princeton Architectural Press, $35). The authors picked up all of the cards for about $20 at Manhattan's Sixth Avenue flea market and wanted to know more. Gregory and Sahre became so intrigued by the ham community, they took the rigorous FCC exams and got licenses. "The culture's all about this passion for technology, but it's also about being social and helping people," Gregory says. "It reminds me of the early days of the Well and BBSes." What sets it apart: In the ham world, a strict code of conduct bans profanity, obscenity, and business transactions on the airwaves. Oh, and identifying yourself is mandatory, so there's no anonymity. Now that's an altogether different kind of network protocol.
A HAM OPERATOR'S CALLING CARD
TRANSMITTER POWER
The strength of the ham's signal: 40 watts.
RECEIVER
The ham uses a Hallicrafters SX-28, the Super Skyrider.
CALL SIGN
Letters and numbers ID the ham and his location.
SIGN-OFF
On a personal note, "73" stands for "best regards."
PLAY
The Fantasy Life of Coder Boys
In Ronald We Trust
Astroboy, Born Again
Bootleggers, Roll Your DATs
What's On Your iPod?
The Electro Freak Show
If You Hear Me, Give Me a Sign
Read Me
A Reason to Walk in LA
Japanese Schoolgirl Watch
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fetish
Driver's Little Helper
Pocket Jukeboxes
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