W.A.Z.

This is the story of C.Q. ham,
Born with an oscillating diaphragm.
He shocked his parents quite a bit,
For his first clear words were, “Da, da, dit.”

His ear was sharp, and his eye was keen,
And he cut his teeth on an 813.

They sent him to learn how to read, write, and spell,
But little C.Q. didn’t make out so well.

He had built his own station when nine years old,
But English and History left him quite cold.

The years sped by, and so he grew,
And fell in love, as all boys do;

He told her that life without her was bitter,
And he begged for her hand… and her brand new transmitter.
The girl said, “Yes”, without delay;
So their networks were merged the very next day.

Their happy life more than fulfilled their desires,
And their children were natural-born amplifiers.

One day old C.Q. kissed his spouse
And climbed upon the top of his house,
To examine an aerial he dearly cherished…
He fell off the roof and quickly perished.

Now, C.Q’s wife just had to laugh,
For his will prescribed his epitaph:

“Please carve above my buried bones

These words: “HE WORKED ALL FORTY ZONES.”

de W3JTC CQ Magazine February 1948