Biography

I was first licensed as a general-class ham on March 10, 2021.

Most of my time is spent on local repeaters, and I enjoy using digital modes. I have a few international contacts so far on Wires-X.

I am moving toward more HF work this spring, using my FT-991A or IC-7100 and portable antennas. I'm also equipped for battery-powered remote operation. I'm just waiting for a day off with good weather to find some high ground or a park to set up and see how it goes.

I finally have everything I need to install a permanent HF vertical antenna at my QTH, after months of shipping delays. As soon as the ground is thawed and dried, it will be up.

I'm excited for the coming sunspot cycle. The next few years should be very good for HF, and I have noticed recent improvements in the distance that VHF is possible, too. I got into ham radio at a good time as far as that goes.

I'll be applying myself to the adventure of learning and communicating via CW over the next few months as well.

I'm happy to be involved in a great hobby that has so many options to explore.

Thank you for visiting my QRZ page!

73,

Brian - K9BDW
Ellsworth, Wisconsin, USA

Equipment

Yaesu FT-991A
Yaesu FT-5D
Yaesu FT-3D
Yaesu FT-70D
Yaesu FT-60R
Icom IC-7100

-Hustler 4BTV Vertical HF Antenna (to be installed in a few weeks, as soon as the ground thaws and dries)
-Tram 1480 Dual Band VHF-UHF Vertical Ground Plane Antenna, 30 feet up to the tip
-Alpha Antenna HexTenna Portable Dipole - 40m to 70 cm
-Super Antenna MP-1
-Palomar Bullet End-fed long-wire
-Wolf River Coil
-Comet CAA500 Mark II Antenna Analyzer
-MFJ-993B Automatic Antenna Tuner