Ham radio became an interest when I lived off the grid in a solar powered test house in the Mojave Desert near Inyokern, CA. In the early ’90′s cell phones were expensive & besides there was no coverage at our QTH. I had married a ham,Leo, N6JJQ, & had observed nets, HF contacts, phone patches & when traveling, the eye ball QSO’s with hams along the way, but what convinced me to get my license was wanting the ability to have emergency communications if something were to happen to one of the kids. Living in a remote location with no phone was unnerving so while pregnant with our third, I started taking classes & became a no code tech. Later I became a General with code. Both in Oregon, hence the 7 call.
My interest in ham radio grew as I participated in field day, & public service events that the CCARC (Clark County Amatuer Radio Club) participated in. I held the club sales position for over 10 years, wrote columns for the club newsletter, served on the board, & volunteered for communications events (ie: Discovery Walks, Ride Around Clark County, & ironically enough, the Race For The Cure).I credit my years of involvement with ham radio, both on air & as a volunteer with club events, with helping me overcome extreme shyness. The confidence gained through ham radio has truly been a blessing as have all the friends I’ve made.
Life evolves & I’m no longer married to Leo, N6JJQ,but my years of assisting in his booth at ham shows for his Omnitec Antennas led me to my passion for designing & selling T shirts related to the ham radio hobby. A few years ago he let me use a little room in his booth as a test market for a few shirt ideas & Hip Ham Shirts was launched.
I have loved traveling to the ham fests & conventions in the Northwest & most recenly a couple of ventures into California. My dream is to sell at hamfests across the country in every state but since my recent battle with breast cancer I’ve had to rethink my dream & rework it a bit. So instead of personally making it to every state,the Ham Club Fundraiser Program is enabling me to interact with clubs & hams across the country.
PHOTOS: 2012 I’M BACK!!! —-My first hamfest after having to cancel several until I was back on my feet & literally my first ham fest with my T-shirts 2006 at Seapac.
nice add, and great to know that there is a shop like yours, for hams.
You know – everybody can talk . but I know how to morse….that could be a slogan,- right ?
Looking forward to seeing your coffee mugs & are you going to do caps? Jim N7AIE
We don’t have all the designs on mugs yet & haven’t worked out shipping costs. Same with caps. What designs would you be most interested in on either mugs or hats?
Laura KC7LOK
Great Web site Greetings fromthe UK
You need a facebook page. It’s a great way to promote your site.
And thanks for the shirts you offer, I’ll be getting some soon. Any specials when you buys several at once?
I was hoping to see the Johnson Viking designed shirts that CQ magazine used to sell. Would be great if you could find the design.
73, Wayne
A very happy customer, I always stop by and say hello and usually end up buying a shirt. Can’t wait to buy another one. Maybe in Salam in Oct, or sometime up here in WA. I’ve gotten many comments on the shirts I have and have pointed them to your website.
Mark
KE7JTU
Hi Laura, looks like a great idea. Hope you are able to attend some hamfests soon. Who knows you may expand to VK.
Long time ago I made a bumper sticker “Radio Amateurs communicate with Space Travelers” but never had the means to get it manufactured.
Jack VK3WWW
Thanks for your comment, Jack. I like to think that with a positive attitude anything is possible. Right now I’m just looking forward to nearby hamfests again, but the thought of someday visiting Australia for a hamfest holds great appeal. As they say, I can dream can’t I? As for your bumper sticker idea, we are set up now for small runs of bumper stickers, maybe we could assist you with that sometime.
Hi Everyone and Greetings from Muncie Indiana . I had the pleasure of Talking on 10 meters with KB6KRA Pat in Half Moon Bay California and he was Kind enough to pass the link too your site along.. I will be placing a order soon for at least 1 T Shirt..Maybe more depending on whether or not I can convince the XYL (Wife) That I need a Few..LOL 73′s all. Donald
Very nice site that your son built for you…I would only change one thing in it if it were mine..I would put a Address and Contact number in it as I was looking for that info and had too look you up thru http://www.qrz.com I also think for Publicity I would try to post this Web site too my QRZ page…Just suggestions…. I look forward too purchasing a Few shirts and maybe some other gear from you all… NICE TOO SEE HAM RADIO PROMOTED…YEAH!
Thank you Donald, KC9DQK, for both your comments. Definitely can do some followup making our contact info more obvious. Also, been working on the links…I may have my general license but I’m still somewhat a novice at computer stuff. That’s where Greg, KD7RWK comes in. When I get stuck trying to pull things together he can usually make it happen.
Added, I love your site!
Do you have any pictures of the Sea-Pac 30th Anniversary Commemorative T-Shirt? I am interested in buying one, but am curious as to what they look like.
Hi Ken,
If this works right, (I’m not very computer literate but trying my best), the link below should show the winning design…I also sent you a personal email with an attachment. Between the two, you should be able to view it….
Thanks,
Laura KC7LOK
http://imgur.com/yBpo9
Greetings first time I had a look at your site extremely humours wish we had a shop like yours down here please keep me informed my QTH details are on QRZ.COM OK, yes I think your products would sell well especially at the Mt Gambier Haam fest in June 2013 but I have to travel one and half hours drive from my QTH sorry dont have the internet at home yet useing the Libaries, many thanks again lets here from you OK 73s Den VK3FDAS well done
1st time to you web site. It looks great . I like the shirts, hats and mugs. Buing will have to wait for now however. Franky KF7FEF, Tacoma, WA
it was nice to meet you at the Mike and Key Flea Market yesterday. I’m showing my wife what I would like for my birthday gifts this year. See ya next year!
Hi Scott,
Great meeting you too!!!!….I hope your wife takes the hint & picks up some more Hip Ham shirts for you.