Biography

Shortwave radio has been a part of my life since I was a young teenager. I listened to Radio Netherlands, the BBC, Radio Canada, and many other broadcast greats (just before many left the airways) and not-so-greats! I discovered the amateur bands in college and began dreaming of getting my own license one day, while staying busy getting married and raising a family. In 2014, I decided it was time to do more than just dream, and received my Technician and General licenses.

If you're lucky, you'll hear one of my three children operating with me! They love to call CQ and get to talk to someone.

When I'm not on the radio, I serve as an Anglican priest in rural, southwestern Pennsylvania.

MEMBERSHIPS

•Digital Modes Club (#10416)
•European PSK Club (#27593)
•Feld-Hell (#6137)
•FT8 Digital Mode Club (#06683)
•OMISS #9611
•SWARL

I heartily subscribe to the DX Code of Conduct and recommend it to all other amateur radio operators.

73,
Aaron

Equipment

THE SHACK
A few weeks after I received my license, I got a call from a longtime radio amateur a few hours away offering me the "basics" to get on the air. Thanks to him, I use a Yaesu FT-840 powered by an Astron RS-20A with an MFJ-948 to smooth out any SWR issues. I've dabbled in digital thanks to Signalink USB, but SSB voice is still my favorite.

We've not figured out a permanent shack in the new house yet, so I usually operate from the back porch or yard!

THE ANTENNA
I have been experimenting with a number of compromise and portable antennas that would allow me to get on the air and not upset my landlord's requirements or my neighbors. After several major frustrations, I decided to bite the bullet and go for a Buddipole, which will also allow me to start exploring operating portable from the many beautiful natural sites in the area. I've been very pleased thus far, and look forward to continuing to experiment with it and others. I also love experimenting with random wires.

LOGGING & QSLING

I keep my logs using Aether and RumLogNG on a MacBook. I export logs to eQSL, LoTW, and ClubLog.

QSLs of all types are a joy to me, and I would welcome receiving yours and sending you one of mine. All direct QSLs will receive a response.