I lived in NM for 14 years. Got my first ham ticket while I was living there in 1976. That was when I first sat before a FCC examiner at the Federal Building on Commerce Street in Dallas.
Most of my ham friends worked at the Labs or were Mil. Lots of very capable techs. We did a lot of homebrew. I truly miss that crowd.
My father-in-law (recently deceased) was an EE and worked in the weapons industry for 40 years. I love RF techies.
Same office, 1971. I rode over on a bus, alone at 11 years old. Never happen today.
Tubes, fergawdsakes. Draw a Colpitts oscillator. Identify the grid, heater, and plate.
Rules for novices. 100 watts. Band plans.
Those were the days.
/johnny