Biography

At the time of this writing, I have been licensed for 50 years (April 20, 1974 to be exact!) in April 2017. Hard to believe!

One day when I was a kid, my dad, Lyle VE3LHS (ex VE3DLS) (an SK since November 8, 2016: http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=132460&fg=0) put a piece of paper on my dresser telling me about the Metro Amateur Radio Club's classes. I had always wanted my ticket but the time was never right. I remember the first day of class and how shocking it was that they wanted $20 for a class. I was devastated but my dad, of course, picked up the tab. $20 was a lot of money for a little kid back then. I got my ticket and one year later, my Advanced with all of the endorsements between, 10M, SSTV, etc.

I have been active ever since. In the time since my license was earned, I have done so much with ham radio. My daughter got her license in 2006 at 9 years old (she is KC2PVX) and my son earned his licence at age 14 and is KC2LLG. On the 40th anniversary of my getting a license, to the day, I got my WAS on SSTV - my big accomplishment.

My station is set up for satellite, phone, cw, psk, sstv, packet, vhf/uhf, hf, Clover, and so forth and I try to use all those modes. (I am a big cw freak so am often found there!) You can find me on the air around 14.180 and 7.185 or on the low edge of the CW portion of the bands. I will QSO with anyone. I have also done some paper-chasing such as the DXCC, WAS Triple Play, WAS Endorsements (such as SSTV, PSK125, etc.), CW Qualifying Runs, Field Day participation, RTTY and Digital contesting and Canada Day, my personal favorite - since I got to spend so much time with my daughter as she logs and operates throughout. (Too bad about that college thing, though!)

My main equipment is an Elecraft K3, Elecraft K4, Flex 6400, Flex Tuner Genius, KPA1500, SPE 1.5K amplifier, KPA500 amplifier, KAT500 tuner, and P3 Pan Adapter, Icom 7610, and an Icom 9700,and assorted 2m/4e0 rigs. I have a few wire antennas and an Urban Beam by SteppIR.

Ham radio is my escape from my professional life. For info on that part of who I am, go to this link www.bethmiriam.org.

By the way, if you QSL, I love to get cards by the buro or use LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD AT ARRL.ORG/LOTW. I ALSO USE E-QSL. 73

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Elecraft K3
Elecraft K4
Icom ic 7610
Elecraft KPA500
Elecraft KPA1500
SPE 1.5K FA
Elecraft P3 Panadapter
SteppIR Urban Beam
Assorted wire antennas