Lester Picker (September 26, 1905 – May 10, 1930) was an American

amateur radio Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency radio spectrum, spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emer ...

operator famous in the early 1920s. Picker achieved fame when he fell when erecting an aerial for his radio. He broke his neck as a result of the fall and was paralyzed. Picker, who operated under the

call sign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally as ...

s of 6AJH and 6ZH and lived in

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

, was also the District Superintendent for the

American Radio Relay League The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the United States. ARRL is a non-profit organization and was co-founded on April 6, 1914, by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska of ...

. Prior to his fall, Picker was slated to graduate high school. By the use of his radio he was able to graduate from Roosevelt Memorial High School in San Diego.

References

* * * 1905 births 1930 deaths American radio personalities Amateur radio people {{US-radio-bio-stub