Joe Hopkinson Sometimes you never really know someone, even after 22 years of working beside them. Joe is a good example.
I knew he was in the Army for 17 years, and worked as a corrections officer until his retirement a few years ago. He rarely smiled, but could make you laugh. There is not a word in the English language that he can not spell correctly. I would tease him and remind him that he learned everything he knows about CBs from me, but not everything that I knew. I was working on a Cobra 29 LTD that was giving me a problem with staying on frequency. I measured, calculated, and substituted every part in the VCO circuit except for a 10 pfd ceramic capacitor. Joe suggested that I replace the capacitor. "Joe" I said with conviction, "A ceramic capacitor in a high impedance circuit will never fail, I have never had one fail in a VCO circuit and I doubt if this one will be bad." "Change it anyway" he said, "What do you have to lose?" So, I put in another 10 pfd cap and the problem was cured. After 22 years he got me. "Never say never" he replied, with the closest you will ever get to seeing him smile. Whenever I fixed a problem CB that he worked on, but he could not fix, I would fix it and say "Who is the best technician you know?" He would always reply with "Bobby." He just would not give me the satisfaction of being the "BEST." Joe is a Ham operator for as far back as I can remember. He enjoys buying the best and can eat the anus of a Rhino if it had enough salt, pepper, and hot sauce on it. He was well respected as a corrections officer by his fellow workers and the inmates alike. He never let on about his personal life; it wasn't until a few years ago I found out that he was once married. Joe got sick three years ago and is now unable to help me or keep me company while we work together. So, here is to Joe; the best technician and friend a man can work with that I have ever known. I dedicate this Website to him. I told him that I would put every CB radio ever made on this site even if it takes the next 22 years. Return to Home page Return to Radio List | 
