![\"Cover](\"https:\/\/k6bj.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/image001.jpg\")
<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/b><\/h4>\n‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
\nThe rig was turned off and the mike cord lay slack.<\/p>\n
The antenna rotor had made its last turn,
\nThe tubes in the linear have long ceased to burn.<\/p>\n
I sat there relaxing and took off my specs,
\nPreparing to daydream of armchair DX,
\nWhen suddenly outside I heard such a sound,
\nI dashed out the door to see what was around.<\/p>\n
The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night-
\nFor sure, propagation for the low bands was right.<\/p>\n
As he flew past my tower, his hair like a mane,
\nHe reined in his chargers and called them by name:
\n“Whoa, Anode! Whoa, Cathode! Whoa, Zener! Whoa, Diode!
\nStop, Heater! Stop, Grid leak! Stop, Bias! Stop, Triode!\u201d<\/p>\n
I peered towards the roof where I heard all the racket,
\nAnd there was some guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket.<\/p>\n
I stood there perplexed in a manner quite giddy.
\nJust who was this stranger – di di dah dah di dit(ty)?<\/p>\n
I shouted to him, “OM ! QRZ ?”![\"image008\"](\"https:\/\/k6bj.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/image008.png\")
\n“Hey you by the chimney, all dressed up in red !”
\nI suddenly knew when I heard sleigh bells jingle,
\nThe guy on the rooftop was jolly Kris Kringle.<\/p>\n
He had a big sack full of amateur gear,
\nWhich was a big load for his prancing reindeer.
\nTransmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks,
\nSome meters and scopes and a lot of co-ax.<\/p>\n
His clothes were all sooty, from his shoes to his vest;
\nI felt like a novice taking his test.<\/p>\n
His fingers were calloused and from what I could tell.
\nThis came from a straight key that I’ll bet he used well.<\/p>\n
He said not a word ’cause he’d finished his work
\nHe picked up his sack, then he turned with a jerk.
\nAs he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee,
\nAnd I knew in a moment he’d be QRT. <\/p>\n
I heard him transmit as he flew o’er the trees
\n“Merry Christmas to all, and to all seven-three.” <\/p>\n
(Authors unknown. From our shack to yours, Happy Holidays)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A HOLIDAY POEM ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack The rig was …<\/p>\n