1993:
The KYHAM Listserv was created on a BBS (remember those?) that I ran in Lexington called "Intellectual Dementia." At first, it was used by those in the local calling area around Lexington. It quickly became a way to move information to move information around the local area about emergency communications subjects. Then a friend of mine, Greg Parsons, KE4OOO hooked me up with James Risner at stdio.com who granted the BBS free Internet email and newsgroup access. The listserv grew.

1995-96:
The BBS was getting maybe 2-3 calls a week. The whole BBS scene was dying with the advent of the Internet, and I was trying to find a way to take Intellectual Dementia offline forever, but I didn't want to disconnect KYHAM. Then I ran into Al Waller, K3TKJ over at qsl.net and qth.net, and he was offering free listservs and web pages to hams, and ham organizations. Al never told me this, but I think that we started something by bringing KYHAM to his system. Shortly after we installed KYHAM there, I began to notice that there were listservs for all 50 states.

1996-2003:
I learned more about web sites, and kept "tinkering." Then, people kept saying that they were using it for a resource, which is the entire reason I wanted to put the site online in the first place. I take their comments as an honor, because I feel I did something right, and it was useful to hams in Kentucky.

Over the years, I have thought about registering a domain for the site, but had resisted the urge because the prices were a little much in the beginning. The thought slipped my mind for quite a while until Tyler Allison, KI4BUM (don't let the callsign fool you, he ain't one) approached me and said he was willing to help. That is where we are today. But we will be changing the site even more in the coming weeks/months. With Tyler's help, we are going to have some new capabilities and features to make the site an even better resource.

Not only has Tyler brought us to a new level, added to our ability to serve, but he has brought with him a new member of the KYHAM Staff. Tucker Allison is joining the crew to give the place a little more personality.

Also, thanks to Don Marquardt, K9SOA, for transferring the "deed" on the www.kyham.net domain. He had registered it a long time ago, but had never used it.

2006-Today:
In Feburary 2006, the KYHAM listserv was transferred to the www.kyham.net domain so that more control and ability to respond to technical issues could be accomplished. While all KYHAM facilities are leaving QSL and QTH.NET we continue to praise their efforts while enterring a new era in trying to serve amateur radio operators in KY. Those who support amateur radio are encouraged to support their efforts by donations to their services. They give freely, and amateur radio should give back to them!

Tyler Allison has moved to the Chicago area, and isn't really connected much any more, but I know that if I emailed him with a serious problem, he would help the hams of Kentucky by assisting me in fixing the problem.

Thank You's
The list is long but short at the same time. All the people above have played a technical role in the growth of the listserv and the web site.

Many people think I created some magical web site with all the information, and can wave a magic wand to provide this resource. I wish I could. The people who have been most responsible for its success is you! Over the years, everyone who has sent us information about their local amateur radio community has built this site. I COULD NOT do it without you.

I wish to thank all of you, but there are just too many. From individuals who saw there was a bad phone number by someone's name or a club meeting time had changed, to Craig Still, N4CQR and Ron Dodson, KA4MAP who have helped shape it as an emergency communications resource, to club officers who keep me posted on what is going on, and on and on. Finally, I have to recognize the succession of ARRL Section Managers over the years who have seen the site for what it is, a neutral ground and source of information that have asked me to serve within the Section Cabinet as Asst. Section Manager for ARES and Internet Resources. I plan to continue this role as long as it is desired I serve in it.

Without the help of everyone, this site would not be here, and I wouldn't have a reason to be typing this. I have always said that an unupdated and inaccurate site is worthless. I won't run a worthless site, but I need your help. Keep sending information updates, and news and we'll keep this show on the road.

A Final Thought:
The move to our own domain was more for ease of access than anything. During an emergency, a ham looking for information can remember www.kyham.net easier than a drawn-out URL.

If you or your amateur radio organization find value in one of the hundreds of other KY amateur radio operator sites that Al Waller hosts for FREE, please donate to his efforts! Al has done a LOT for amateur radio, and the equipment he has to maintain, and Internet connection he has to pay for is very expensive. Go to www.qsl.net and see everything that the system offers ham radio operators at NO cost. There is a form to donate on the bottom of the main page.

Your Webmaster Pat Spencer, KD4PWL You may have read the history of KYHAM, now here's a little info about the webmaster. Originally from Frankfort, Pat now lives in Lexington with his wife Kim. He is the Production Art Supervisor and Systems Administrator in the design center at a licensed sports manufacturer. He also does private computer consulting. Licensed in 1992, Pat's primary interest in amateur radio is community service, and emergency communications. Another primary interest in the hobby involves off-air work to build connections between ham radio operators throughout the Commonwealth. Over the years, he has held many Section Level and ARES appointments.

He serves as the KY Columnist for the Repeater Journal ofthe SouthEastern Repeater Association. and writes on a freelance basis for other amateur publications.