BLANDX Mugshots

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BLANDX Mugshots

Editor: Omy Goshen

This month BLANDX oldtimer, CARSON HUMBOLDT of Paradise Valley, Nevada reveals his deepest DXing secrets for us! Hereeeeeeeee's Carson!
"I started DXing in 1967, when I was 13 years old and a new family moved into the house next door. They had two teenage daughters whose bedroom window was just fourteen feet from mine. They never closed their curtains, so suddenly I needed an excuse to get away from the family TV and stay in my room all evening. My Uncle Carl had always bored me with stories of how he used to DX in his younger days, so I hit him up for some advice on how to get started in SW. I spent every evening in my room for the next three years, logging over 150 countries. I probably could have logged more, but my attention was often diverted when stations were about to ID.
"In 1968, SASWA/BLANDX became the first club I joined. In fact, it was the only club I joined for several years, as I soon began receiving threatening letters from SASWA founder George Le Bouton. In George's day, club loyalty was taken seriously, as more than a few unfortunate hobbyists found out (may they rest in peace). Like most others I was only mildly surprised, and greatly relieved, when George absconded with the club finances and moved to Uganda. I just wish we could know for sure if he was wasted in that coup attempt. Every so often we hear rumors that he is still at large somewhere in the Andes, advising the Senderos or something. I always keep my windows and doors locked.
"By the time the girls moved in 1970, I had actually become hooked on DXing, and I have been doing it ever since. One of my greatest DXing thrills was the first time an editor insulted me in BLANDX, in 1972. I couldn't believe that a great DXer like Ray Framus thought that something stupid I had said was actually important enough to defame me in the bulletin. That page is framed on my shack wall, beside my first Radio Tirana QSL.
"Today, the receivers are a Bleene RM7-B, two DXMate-10s, and a MiniMate-10 for travel DXing. I manage our 30 room family motel here on the outskirts of Paradise Valley. As I hire illegals to do the housework and write my Spanish reception reports (at least if they're literate), that leaves me a lot of free time to DX. When I'm not busy at the dials, I like to drink beer and randomly dial 800 numbers. Paradise Valley is kind of isolated, and it's a great way to practice my social skills. In the end, though, I still remain fascinated by shortwave radio, and it never fails to bring back fond memories of my adolesence."
Thanks, Carson. I agree with you about the thrill being insulted for the first time in BLANDX. Nothing can compare to the rush you feel when your big moment comes! Someone who hasn't yet been insulted in these hallowed pages is Frank Crandall of 312 Steele Ave, Transfer, PA. Don't worry, Frank, your time will come. In the meantime, Frank has sent us this introduction.
"Hello BLANDXers! I have been a member for three years, but this is the first time I've contributed anything to the bulletin. I've always wanted to see my biography in print, and this seemed to be the place to do it. I am a 37 year old veternary proctologist. It's a difficult job, and needless to say I sometimes get a little behind in my work, hi! In addition to DXing, I am vice-president of the local chapter of the American Society of Ecumenical Isolationists. We came together with the purpose of getting the local library to burn some books, but we still haven't decided what kind.
"I came into the hobby via a highly unusual route, even for BLANDX members who are known to be highly unusual: my doctor recommended I take up SW. Actually, of course, it wasn't that direct. Just three years ago, in the summer of 1987, I was having trouble with insomnia. I tried most of the normal medications, and nothing worked. Finally I decided to see Dr. Jim Herman (a BLANDXer), whose office is across the hall from mine. He gave me a cassette tape of Radio Tirana and told me to play it when I went to bed. I dropped off before the newscast was even over! Convinced this was the answer to my problem, I asked Jim for more tapes. He didn't have the time to tape Tirana every night, but lent me one of his DXMate-10s (I had a hard time explaining that to the wife). Jim had already set the receiver to Tirana's main North American frequency, but I couldn't resist playing with the tuning knobs. Needless to say, the DX bug bit me (although I still fall asleep whenever I tune by Tirana). Today I have my own DXMate-10XXX.
"One of the greatest joys I get from this hobby is meeting other people with similar interests. Two years ago I attended several meetings of CLODX (CLeveland Organization of DXers). I look forward to attending a SASWACON or SASWAFEST once I'm off probation (that was the result of an unfortunate incident when I took my DXMate receiver to the park downtown). In the meantime, I would enjoy corresponding with other DXMate-10 owners who shave their left legs and keep pet iguanas. Be sure to send a black & white glossy."
Thanks, Frank! I'm not sure how many BLANDXers will be willing to send you their photos, though. With the ECPA around, who's going to want to take a chance of it ending up on a post office wall? Looks like the file is empty here, so if there's going to be another BLANDX Mugshots next month, I need some contributions. C'mon folks, there's nothing like revealing your innermost secrets to a bunch of total strangers.
Omy Goshen!

The above article appeared in the 1990 edition of BLANDX, the DX bulletin parody magazine. More information about BLANDX is available from Don Moore.

What were once vices are now good DXing habits. (BLANDX 1990)

This website is maintained by Don Moore,
Association of North American Radio Clubs
DXer of the Year for 1995.
My Address Is In This Graphic

BLANDX & DX HUMOR MENU	Patepluma Radio Main Menu	What's New At Patepluma	Best of this Site
BLANDX Mugshots Editor: Omy Goshen This month BLANDX oldtimer, CARSON HUMBOLDT of Paradise Valley, Nevada reveals his deepest DXing secrets for us! Hereeeeeeeee's Carson! "I started DXing in 1967, when I was 13 years old and a new family moved into the house next door. They had two teenage daughters whose bedroom window was just fourteen feet from mine. They never closed their curtains, so suddenly I needed an excuse to get away from the family TV and stay in my room all evening. My Uncle Carl had always bored me with stories of how he used to DX in his younger days, so I hit him up for some advice on how to get started in SW. I spent every evening in my room for the next three years, logging over 150 countries. I probably could have logged more, but my attention was often diverted when stations were about to ID. "In 1968, SASWA/BLANDX became the first club I joined. In fact, it was the only club I joined for several years, as I soon began receiving threatening letters from SASWA founder George Le Bouton. In George's day, club loyalty was taken seriously, as more than a few unfortunate hobbyists found out (may they rest in peace). Like most others I was only mildly surprised, and greatly relieved, when George absconded with the club finances and moved to Uganda. I just wish we could know for sure if he was wasted in that coup attempt. Every so often we hear rumors that he is still at large somewhere in the Andes, advising the Senderos or something. I always keep my windows and doors locked. "By the time the girls moved in 1970, I had actually become hooked on DXing, and I have been doing it ever since. One of my greatest DXing thrills was the first time an editor insulted me in BLANDX, in 1972. I couldn't believe that a great DXer like Ray Framus thought that something stupid I had said was actually important enough to defame me in the bulletin. That page is framed on my shack wall, beside my first Radio Tirana QSL. "Today, the receivers are a Bleene RM7-B, two DXMate-10s, and a MiniMate-10 for travel DXing. I manage our 30 room family motel here on the outskirts of Paradise Valley. As I hire illegals to do the housework and write my Spanish reception reports (at least if they're literate), that leaves me a lot of free time to DX. When I'm not busy at the dials, I like to drink beer and randomly dial 800 numbers. Paradise Valley is kind of isolated, and it's a great way to practice my social skills. In the end, though, I still remain fascinated by shortwave radio, and it never fails to bring back fond memories of my adolesence." Thanks, Carson. I agree with you about the thrill being insulted for the first time in BLANDX. Nothing can compare to the rush you feel when your big moment comes! Someone who hasn't yet been insulted in these hallowed pages is Frank Crandall of 312 Steele Ave, Transfer, PA. Don't worry, Frank, your time will come. In the meantime, Frank has sent us this introduction. "Hello BLANDXers! I have been a member for three years, but this is the first time I've contributed anything to the bulletin. I've always wanted to see my biography in print, and this seemed to be the place to do it. I am a 37 year old veternary proctologist. It's a difficult job, and needless to say I sometimes get a little behind in my work, hi! In addition to DXing, I am vice-president of the local chapter of the American Society of Ecumenical Isolationists. We came together with the purpose of getting the local library to burn some books, but we still haven't decided what kind. "I came into the hobby via a highly unusual route, even for BLANDX members who are known to be highly unusual: my doctor recommended I take up SW. Actually, of course, it wasn't that direct. Just three years ago, in the summer of 1987, I was having trouble with insomnia. I tried most of the normal medications, and nothing worked. Finally I decided to see Dr. Jim Herman (a BLANDXer), whose office is across the hall from mine. He gave me a cassette tape of Radio Tirana and told me to play it when I went to bed. I dropped off before the newscast was even over! Convinced this was the answer to my problem, I asked Jim for more tapes. He didn't have the time to tape Tirana every night, but lent me one of his DXMate-10s (I had a hard time explaining that to the wife). Jim had already set the receiver to Tirana's main North American frequency, but I couldn't resist playing with the tuning knobs. Needless to say, the DX bug bit me (although I still fall asleep whenever I tune by Tirana). Today I have my own DXMate-10XXX. "One of the greatest joys I get from this hobby is meeting other people with similar interests. Two years ago I attended several meetings of CLODX (CLeveland Organization of DXers). I look forward to attending a SASWACON or SASWAFEST once I'm off probation (that was the result of an unfortunate incident when I took my DXMate receiver to the park downtown). In the meantime, I would enjoy corresponding with other DXMate-10 owners who shave their left legs and keep pet iguanas. Be sure to send a black & white glossy." Thanks, Frank! I'm not sure how many BLANDXers will be willing to send you their photos, though. With the ECPA around, who's going to want to take a chance of it ending up on a post office wall? Looks like the file is empty here, so if there's going to be another BLANDX Mugshots next month, I need some contributions. C'mon folks, there's nothing like revealing your innermost secrets to a bunch of total strangers. Omy Goshen! The above article appeared in the 1990 edition of BLANDX, the DX bulletin parody magazine. More information about BLANDX is available from Don Moore. What were once vices are now good DXing habits. (BLANDX 1990) This website is maintained by Don Moore, Association of North American Radio Clubs DXer of the Year for 1995.