Biography

My wife and I enjoy fishing together in Estero Bay, Lee County, Florida. Small Hammerhead Shark in the photograph...(released at once)… Click on photo for full view!

We are both Foursquare Disaster Relief and American Red Cross DSC (Disaster Spiritual Care) Chaplains (all volunteer).

Passed my Technician and General tests in the Summer of 2015, after being encouraged by some Hams volunteering at Lee County Emergency Management, where my wife and I were volunteers. I am an active part of the Lee County A.R.E.S./A.L.E.R.T. net that meets on VHF, mostly on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. And, a member of Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club/F.M.A.R.C...

Had my Novice ticket (WN4BPB) back around 1960, operating a Heathkit DX-20 transmitter on crystals (no VFO's allowed for Novices and CW only) and the receiver being a Hallicrafters S38E.

In my "born again" radio life starting in 2015, there is a Yaesu FT-7900 - VHF/UHF. The HF rig is an FT-450D, with an AL-811 and an ATR-20. Running a N4iL OCF 40-6 Meter Windom and a G5RV 80-10 Meter dipole... They are only 20 feet off the ground. On 6/16/2016, I added a vertical IMAX-2000 and will be giving it a try out in the next week. (update: very nice on 17 meters and more sensitive than the OCF in that frequency range - nice DX in poor propagation). For mobile operations, the two transceivers are easily disconnected from the home base and connected to pre-wired power in the pick-up truck. Also, there is a VHF/UHF - HT that easily connects to the home base, mobile, or back to a "rubber duckie" antenna.

I really enjoy exchanging QSL Cards, confirming our QSO's by regular postal mail.

New posting for February 19, 2017: Just received my new TYT MD-380 DMR. Just out of range for the "rubber ducky" stock antennas to reach the KF5IW repeater in Fort Myers, FL. So, I've connected to my base station VHF/UHF dual band antenna. And, in the truck to the mobile mount... WOW! The audio quality is way beyond anything I've experienced in Ham radio! Looking forward to new contacts and friends...

Update: March 31, 2017 - Have added a Connect Systems CS580 DMR HT... With this, I can now try some experiments with taking a fellow Ham's Code Plug and adding/modifying whatever I want! Learning how to do some programming with the experimentation... More fun along with minor frustrations!!!

Update: May 31, 2017 - Took a round trip - SW Florida and North Carolina with CS580. It does what it suppose to do with roaming and scanning, with the trap to QSO on whatever it picks up. Very nice feature without having to modify or add any code plugs!!!

A few days ago, I installed a SignaLink USB soundcard, along with the WinLink program into the computer and connected the Yaesu FT-450D. They work great in sending Emails on WinLink's Winmore program on HF, to ANYone in the world who can receive emails. If the infrastructure goes down (i.e. Hurricanes, etc...), we can get messages back and forth to the rest of the world. Hats off and "Thank you" to those who operate DMR and WinLink stations! You make the hobby more fun and interesting!

Update: July 4, 2017 -Happy Birthday USA!

Trying out PSK-31. Having fun!

Update: November 1, 2017 - Amateur Extra issued!

Update: December 22, 2017 - NEW ANTENNA - finished building and installing an MFJ-1835H on December 15th (bought it during the Summer and had to wait for hurricane season to end and had to recover from a direct hit from Hurricne IRMA). Seems awesome... better sensitivity receiving and best signal reports ever. Have only tried 17 meters... looking forward to trying various modes and bands... It's about 30 feet up with a push-up pole I acquired from a ham swap shop meet for $20.00!

UPDATE: February - 2018 Have installed and SDRplay 2 into the "system." And, now use it as a panadapter and CAT control for the Yaseu Ft-450D transceiver. This has brought my rig into the "modern age" and WOW! I receive about 1/3 more signals than before and at least 2 more "notches" on the S meter. Took a few days to figure it all out and design what was needed... A big learning curve but, well worth the effort and time. Also, now using RemoteHams.com in contact with the International Radio Bible Study Net and remote station AB1FF. Nice!

Update: June 2, 2018 - Currently, have a ZUMspot with Rasberry Pi Zero, to interface with the MD-380. More fun and more of a learning curve... However, great Elmer(s) help from the FMARC!!!!

Update: 1st week in July 2018.... Am a new VE and exciting to see many new Hams of all ages coming onboard and many new upgrades... Also, new to DSTAR... Enjoying, with a whole new learning curve. Many thanks to Elmer Rich in this new adventure!!! Now, trying out RTTY on 20 meters. AWESOME!