There are degrees of radio nuttiness. 
	I have two lifeboat radio transmitters, an Atlanta receiver by Marconi of the type I sat in front of on and off for 11 years and various other esoteric bits of radio kit but I'm not a ham.
 
	Propogation of radio was essential knowledge in order to clear radio traffic. After the end of the area radio scheme in the 60s it became necessary to try and contact the UK on HF with a transmitter that was 120 watts radiated at best. Bouncing off layers was either an art or pure luck.