Special Sub-Topic: Famous Hams Click Here To Play: Famous Hams

This famous ham invented a legendary music device that was featured on the album "Switched On Bach". Who is it?

Robert Moog. K2AMH, Bob Moog, invented the famous Moog Synthesizer along with some other innovative electronic music equipment. He died in 2005. John McVie is the bass player for Fleetwood Mac. Tom Scholz is the founder of the band Boston and also an MIT graduate who has made his own contributions to music technology.

Besides talking on his ham radio, this famous newscaster spent most of his life talking into a microphone for a living. Who is it?

Walter Cronkite. KB2GSD, Walter Cronkite obtained his amateur radio license after he retired from CBS news, primarily to have another form of communication while on his sailboat. Chet Huntley and David Brinkley were popular co-anchors of the NBC television news broadcast. Dan Rather replaced Walter Cronkite on the 'CBS Evening News' after Cronkite retired.

Gerson Strassberg, WA2JXX invented this item which no self-respecting geek would have been without. Now, you could probably only find one on e-bay. Who is it?

Plastic Pocket Protector. It's been years since I've seen a plastic pocket protector, but it was designed to slip into your shirt pocket and hold your ink pens. Geek fashion dictated that you not only have a plastic pocket protector, but also have multiple pens tucked into it.

W2MFW, Jerry Schatz (billed as Jerry Tucker) played the spoiled rich kid on this popular series. What was the name of the series?

Our Gang. Jerry appeared in 18 'Our Gang' episodes and six movies. In 1942 he quit acting and joined the US Navy and was wounded when a kamikaze attacked his ship, the USS Sigsbee. After World War II he studied engineering and retired as an engineer for RCA Global Communications.

His call-sign was K2ORS and he wrote and narrated a classic film that had everyone saying "you'll shoot your eye out". Who is it?

Jean Shepherd. Jean Shepherd was a writer and radio-television personality who narrated 'A Christmas Story'. The movie was based on his writing. Clive Cussler is a maritime history authority and author of many books including "Raise The Titanic". Franklin W. Dixon was the pseudonym for a host of writers who authored "The Hardy Boys" series.

W3DEF, Stephen Aug is the former business correspondent for what TV show?

Good Morning America. Stephen Aug spent several years keeping Americans abreast of the latest business and economic news.

This well known country music star changed his amateur radio call-sign to W4CGP, which he said stood for "certified guitar picker".

Chet Atkins. Chet Atkins was very active in amateur radio and was said to even have a radio set up in his kitchen. Roy Rogers was of course a singing cowboy and Randy Parton is the musician brother of Dolly Parton. Buck Owens was the co-host of the long running country variety show 'Hee Haw'.

Another famous country star who is also a ham is originally from North Carolina and has hits such as "Smokey Mountain Rain" and "Lost In The Fifties Tonight". His callsign is WB4KCG. Who is it?

Ronnie Millsap. All of these musicians hail from The Carolinas, but Ronnie is the only ham in the bunch. Darius Rucker is from South Carolina and released a solo album of country music; when not singing country, he's the lead singer for Hootie And The Blowfish. Randy Travis is a well known country star from Marshville, NC. Doc Watson is a bluegrass legend and hosts the annual Merlefest (named for his late son) in Wilkes County NC, which draws thousands of fans every year.

Her call-sign is K5PSG, her name is Peggy Sue, and her then boyfriend wrote a song about her. Who was this famous rock and roller?

Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly wrote "Peggy Sue" about his Texan girlfriend. Tragically, he was killed in an airplane crash in Iowa along with The Big Bopper and Richie Valens in 1959.

Here's another ham musician; he's been with several groups, but is probably best known as a member of The Eagles. Who is it?

Joe Walsh. All have been members of The Eagles, but Joe Walsh is the only ham. His callsign is WB6ACU and he is very active on the air and has quite a radio collection too.

This late actor held the call-sign KE6PZH and once used his Oscar as a doorstop. Who is it?

Marlon Brando. Jimmy Stewart, Richard Burton and John Wayne were all great actors, but none of them were hams.

This ham's name is probably known to jazz fans, but we all know his cute red haired daughter from her many movies such as 'Sixteen Candles' and 'The Breakfast Club'. His name is Bob and his call-sign is K6YBV. Who do you think his daughter is?

Molly Ringwald. All three have acted in movies with Molly Ringwald. Her proud dad is Bob Ringwald, jazz pianist and band leader. He appeared with daughter Molly in 'Twice Upon A Time' playing (what else?), a saloon piano player.

Before he died in 1999 this ham used his first name when talking to other hams on the radio, but his loyal subjects probably addressed him as "your highness". Who is it?

King Hussein of Jordan. King Hussein was an ham and enjoyed the hobby as a way to relax and get away from the demands of running Jordan. His call-sign was JY1

This well known politician made a run for the White House, but was defeated. It would have been interesting to see a ham antenna on the roof at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Who is it?

Barry Goldwater. Even with his busy schedule,Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA found the time to be active on the ham bands. During the Vietnam war he ran thousands of phone patches through his amateur radio station which enabled the soldiers to talk with their families back home. Wonder if he ever hooked up with King Hussein while on the air?

Here's the ham: Bob Heil, K9EID. Now, match him up with the correct answer!

Pioneered live in concert sound for various rock and roll groups.. Bob Heil is responsible for taking the world of live rock and roll from a fairly puny sound from the band's amps, to the booming wall to wall of volume we enjoy today during concerts. He worked with The Who, The Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck, Joe Walsh and many other performers. Remember the "talking guitar" that Peter Frampton played? Another one of Bob's creations. Today he manufactures high quality microphones that are used in music and communications.