How Joe Walsh Learned Morse Code as a Kid and Why It Stuck with Him
Joe Walsh Reflects on Childhood Morse Code Hobby at Auction Preview
Joe Walsh, the renowned guitarist of The Eagles, recently revealed his unexpected journey into Morse code during a preview of his upcoming auction items. Speaking at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 8, Walsh shared insights about his childhood hobby while showcasing items from his collection titled “Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh.”
During the event, Walsh discussed a rare piece of ham radio equipment, a Hammarlund HQ-One Forty Five 145C Ham Shortwave Radio Receiver, expected to fetch between $1,200 and $1,500 at auction. He fondly recalled how this equipment sparked his interest in learning Morse code, saying, “I studied Morse code, learned Morse code by myself and took the exam and got a license. And this is the same model that I got.”
Walsh reminisced about an encounter with a local ham radio operator named Jim Walden, which played a pivotal role in his interest. “I told him, ‘I don’t have a clue what that is, but I’m bored as hell,’" Walsh noted. “He was talking to somebody in Florida, and then he talked to somebody in New Mexico.” This introduction to the world of ham radio not only alleviated a potentially dull summer but also ignited a passion that led him to communicate with as many as 32 states over the next four months.
Emphasizing the allure of ham radio, Walsh stated, “There’s a world of magic in ham radio and shortwave radio.” He also remarked on the disparity between vintage and modern equipment. “There’s so much good stuff that works perfectly well that’s getting thrown away because they have a digital one now.”
Other auction items include a Moschino brick suit worn during the Eagles’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1998, a 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-String Electric Guitar, and a Duesenberg prototype #1 Joe Walsh signature guitar, among others. Proceeds from the auction will support VetsAid, a non-profit organization founded by Walsh in 2017 that aids various veterans’ charities.
In his conversation with attendees, Walsh expressed a deep commitment to veterans, highlighting the lack of adequate care they receive upon returning home. “When they come home, I don’t think they get enough care. I don’t think they get enough attention. I don’t like that,” he stated. “They put themselves in harm’s way, and then they’re kind of discarded. They need help and they need understanding.”
The auction will take place on December 16 and 17, offering a unique opportunity for fans and collectors alike to acquire a piece of Walsh’s history.
