Russ, KA7HVA, taken in 2002 at his hamshack.
(Photo ΠR. Block, K6LX.)
(Please go to the end of this page for photo of Russ from 48°North, 1983.)
(Russ, KA7HVA, is holding court over some pollywogs on behalf of Neptunus
Rex. He is shown in his hamshack addressing those slimy, landlubbery
pollywogs on the vessel GRA GEAL MO CHROI (Love of My Heart).
We have loaded the original sound file of the transmission from which the
following text is transcribed.
Here is Russ speaking:
[Transcription]
"SAILING VESSEL ... GRA GEAL MO CHROI ... Entering the Domain of King
Neptune."
"It has been reported that the good ship GRA GEAL MO CHROI bound from Seattle to the Marquesas Islands is in the Domain of King Neptune and whereas the aforesaid ship carries two lowly pollwogs falsely masquerading as "Blue Water Sailors", and, whereas you are too far away to convene the regular Royal Court, King Neptune has called on me, KA7HVA RUSS, in Seattle, a Shellback in good standing for 52 years, to convene this court in his absence with the help of your friends Margaret and Bob and Dave W6RO on the Queen Mary in Long Beach as Witnesses,
"We will now hear your pleas ---
"You Kay, alias N7BSM, alias Busy Seasick Mamma, alias " The
Boss", and Ellis alias "The Captain": How do you plead to the following
charges? ---
| 1 - That the crew of the "GRA GEAL MO CHROI" has failed to show the proper reverence and allegiance to his Royal Person King Neptune, Ruler of the Raging Main. |
| 2 - You are lowly landlubbers masquerading as "Blue Water Sailors". |
| 3 - KAY alias "The Boss" heard telling Ellis alias "The Captain", "Please be reasonable and do it my way!! |
"How do you plead?
Answer: "GUILTY"
"Vessel GRA GEAL MO CHROI; standby while the Court considers your
pleas --
...
(FOR THE COURT)
"I, KA7HVA, RUSS, "Loyal Shellback", representing King Neptune have heard
your pleas for mercy -- being a slimy cargo of landlubbers masquerading
as Seaman gives us great concern, but ---, after consultation with
Margaret, Bob and Dave W6RO ... we feel you honestly want to correct that
impression. So, ..
"To the Captain and crew of the vessel GRA GEAL MO CHROI:
"We are duly impressed with your good intentions to honor and respect his
ROYAL PERSON KING NEPTUNE and therefore accept you as Trusty Shellbacks
in the Ancient Order of the Deep,
"When you approach the Line (at high tide) tell King Neptune who you are-- He will accept you as Worthy Shellbacks into the Domain of King Neptune and you may "Pop the Cork" on what ever beverage you have on board and think of your friends back home who are wishing you well
-- "Bon Voyage --73's and 88's
-- "CONGRATULATIONS-- you are now entered in my log as
Shellbacks. We will complete your Shellback Certificate and send you a
copy of these proceedings. GOOD SAILING." 
SHELLBACK RUSS IN SEATTLE.
April 17, 1988
(And so it was that these Landlubbers were allowed to enter King Neptune's Domain without penalty of INCARCERATION IN DAVY JONES' LOCKER!)
