QSLs are postcards mailed by Ham radio operators and
broadcasters to confirm that they have sent and received transmissions, often from far away. During the
commercial radio craze of the 1920s and '30s, these radio calling cards gained
popularity and later boomed as the amateur hobby expanded in the 1960s and '70s. Hams
often adopted 'handles'- nicknames for easy recognition- and the groundhog was a logical
choice. Like ham networks, groundhog tunnels operate below the radar and the
‘whistlepig’ is known for communicating messages across great distances. Of
course, they are also a prominent rural critter and a host of woodchuck
attributes could apply equally well to certain hams!
Today, online communication has taken much of the wind out
of recreational ham operating though enthusiasts remain vital links in times of
disaster when other systems fail. Here’s a look at some groundhog hams of the
past:
