Eric Loyd is K D 4 L W G and is pictured above
By Jim Freeman
CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF)- Almost 35 years ago, 6th grader Eric Loyd got his first taste of being on amateur radio, and the hunger for ham has not left.
The late Coach Vic King, who was an active ham, teacher-coach at La Follette Middle School (LMS), introduced Loyd to amateur radio. “I started with a hand held Realistic HTX202 radio from Radio Shack,” said Loyd.
These days, Loyd visits with fellow club members as well as co-workers via ham radio. He’s mostly on HF (high frequency).

Loyd was a part of Saturday’s Field Day hosted by the Campbell County Amateur Radio Club (C.C.A.R.C.) along with the Clinton Amateur Radio Club (C.A.R.C.), There was a good turnout of both hams and attendees at the Amateur Radio Relay League (A.R.R.L.) annual field day held at the Cove Lake State Park pool house above where the former swimming pool was.
“I’ve always enjoyed field day and club meetings. Back in the day, we held our monthly meetings at the LMS cafeteria.
Helping with the huge ride at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area was something Loyd has enjoyed as a ham.
“I remember one very cold January day being on Walnut Mountain. We were running VHF there. Then there was one time I talked to a guy in Michigan on two meter side band, and I thought that was a big deal. And it was,” said Loyd. “I’m still making more memories,” Loyd stated.

Saturday’s field day was the second in a row after about a 25-year hiatus. Field Days have also been held on the front lawn of Campbell High.
Loyd’s son Caleb is not far away from becoming a ham. “My son’s six years old, and, in time, I’ll be getting him involved, too,” said Eric Loyd. Who knows? The young Loyd may develop the same taste for ham as his dad. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/30/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)