The Bikaszar Net

Midi playing is "Blue Moon of Kentucky"

        This net has been one of my favorites even though I have not participated regularly for quite some time, however I am proud to be a Charter Member since the early 1990's and have the Certificate to show for it.

        I was the recipient and am still the proud owner of the famous  "Handy Dandy Bikaszar Grinder" which I received back in February of 1993. This piece of gadgetry was produced by none other than the The Chief Bikaszar himself, Mike VE3AWU.

        Assisting  Mike as Secretary and "Chief Gopher" was Gord VE3HA who was responsible for shipping out the Certificates and the Grinders as well as looking after other chores that Mike might dream up!

On the Right ... we see Mike, "The Chief Bikaszar" himself with his "pet" Mongoose in the box. He scared the living daylights out of a lot of people when they wanted to see what was in the box.

On the Left ... we see Gord, Secretary and "Chief Gopher" for the Bikaszar Net! What a pair of characters they were and perhaps still are, but I do believe they have mellowed a bit from ten years ago!

     Here is a photo of the Bikaszar Net  Charter Member Certificate as received in 1993.

        The Bikaszar Group did  not recruit many members as one of the requirements was to be  "REALLY THICK SKINNED" and if one was timid at all or not used to taking some abuse, he could not survive in the environment known as the Bikaszar Group!

        I recall the first time I attempted to "check in" There was no warm greetings or such forthcoming from anyone, but  surly mutterings such as " What the hell are you doing here, go back to where you came from!" ...... "Who asked you to come on this frequency? or who does this guy think he is, butting into our conversation"

        Here is a photo of the Bikaszar Grinder. I remember when it was first unveiled during a session of the net, with Mike cranking it as he held it close to the microphone, asking members to identify it by the sound it made. I don't think that anyone was able to guess what it was!

         You could not get in a word edgewise as they all seem to be talking at once much of the time. Someone asking for a signal report either got the "silent treatment" where no one responded,  making the person think this transmitter had gone south completely or then the opposite where someone reported a very weak signal, another reported carrier on the signal, another one would report splattering across the entire band which would certainly bring the powers to be to his door to pick up his license. You can imagine how disconcerting this would be for someone who just bought a new rig or put up a new antenna!

        I found it hilarious to just listen in, although at times the language used to get a bit crude and certainly was not fit for tender ears. Checking in lately, I find that they have mellowed a bit but the abuse is still being dished out among themselves.

        This photo shows the bottom of the Bikazar Grinder with pertinent dates, etc

        Chris and I have had the opportunity and pleasure to meet many of the original members at various gatherings and hamfests , etc  and cherish those wonderful times together.   

        Thought it might be interesting to see how many  members are still around that have these mementos from more than ten years ago. Please make your comments in the Guest Book not only on these items but about anything you may remember that tickled your fancy back then or whatever.