Biography

I was first licensed in the late 1980's under KB6TST, after letting it lapse due to a number of reasons, moving, work, etc., I eventually retested and walked in cold to a VE testing session passing all the code tests (at that time code was still required) though 20 WPM and managed to take and pass the written theory exams through General, and then taking and running out of time for the EXTRA theory I was granted my general Ticket. My call is now KG6ABF I am considering a vanity call but for now this works.

I have worked everything from CW @ QRP levels on Home Brew Transceivers and Legal Limit power stations, I normally run at barefoot levels and rely upon antennas whenever possible to make contacts. I find working DX with QRP levels to be much more challenging than running QRO. I enjoy helping as a Net Control Operator for a Western States coverage 2 meter SSB net here in California. Recently this net has blossomed into a club with a membership growing almost every net! We have at this writing over 300 members. the club call is KB0Z0 which is appropriate since it stands for the BOZO Net. (See http://www.2meterbozo.net for more details)

I love to experiment with antennas and not a week goes by that doesn't find me working on an antenna either for myself, experimenting at reinventing the wheel or helping a new or established Ham with their stations. Whether it is an HF, VHF or higher frequency I like building and fine tuning them. Surprisingly enough they wind up working usually and often it finds itself at a new Ham's QTH so they can get on the air.

I am at a point now with about 30 years invested in this Hobby to be able to Elmer others in some small way. to me the Elmers I had invested a great deal of their time and in some instances money with equipment books, etc., to make my knowledge and experience to be the best possible positive result they were able to provide and instilled in me that same commitment to pass it along to others. We all have something to contribute and should make ourselves available to new hams and those who are now more advanced in age who often need a bit of assistance to help maintain their stations. I find this to be one of the most rewarding parts of the Hobby to give back to the community when I can.

For many years I also served in various positions in emergency communications and gave many hours to volunteer my time and equipment for those needs during drills, training others, running nets and sometimes even actual emergency situations. Fires, Earthquakes. traffic handling, I could go on but anyone with knowledge of this area of radio knows what it entails.

I am fortunate enough to have some new equipment as well as some vintage gear and I think the vintage gear although more challenging to operate, it is fun just using it. The vintage nets, AM nets, the Collins Collectors nets, etc., these are a great source of fun and during these nets a wealth of information and stories can be enjoyed.

When I can find the time I do a bit of DX chasing to find stations ranging from just quick loggers to DX rag chews from the world over.

I hope this is enough information for now and if you care to ask questions you can find my email here and on QRZ as well, feel free to contact me via that if you find a need to ask for more info from me.

One final thing, my first name is Leonard but I go by my middle name something I have held to in practice since my early childhood years. So if we do manage a contact and I come back with my middle name to you this should serve to explain the reason.

With that
73
KG6ABF
Scott

Equipment

Lets leave this for something to talk about during a QSO for the most part.

I have several rigs and antennas to choose from and operate mobile HF when I can find the time.

I am able to cover 160-1.2 gHz over several modes.

Thanks and hope to meet up on the bands sometime in the near future.


UPDATE On 7/12/14 I took and passed my Extra Licensing Exam. The examiners informed me that I did extremely well on it, so all the study I put into the preparation paid off.

I was approved on 07/31/14 as a V.E. with W5YI, looking forward to helping administer tests at exam sessions so others can join this great hobby.


Recently added a secondary call which is the BOZO NET club call of KB0ZO with the trustee being Pat N6RMJ. This was added to assist the club in preparing for upcoming contests and to assist other Net Control Operators as well as the Contest Coordinators and simplify record keeping since I do all the official net reporting and handle primary Net Control duties for the club for over 3 years now. The club is the Bozo Net covering several states based out of California. Net Frequency is 144.240 USB (VHF) Sunday and Wednesday 7:30 PM continuing through till approximately 9 PM. We welcome all active operators using VHF bands to join in.

The club honors the memory of David KI6FF with a memorial shack dedicated to him and his effort and in spirit to promote activity on the VHF bands, and to keep extending and expanding the use of those bands for ongoing amateur use.

73
KG6ABF
Scott