Biography

I was originally licensed as a Novice with callsign KA2DOH in December of 1978. I upgraded to General shortly thereafter, in June of 1979. I upgraded my privileges to Advanced in October of 1983 and changed my callsign to N2ELW at that time. The final upgrade to Amateur Extra occurred in April of 1993. I applied for vanity call W2LJ in 2000 and was granted its use.

My favorite mode of operation is CW at QRP power levels, which accounts for 100 percent of my operating time. Favorite Ham activities include kitbuilding and homebrewing, chasing DX and rag-chewing. Non-Ham hobbies are watching baseball (long time NY Mets fan!), and reading, as well as astronomy.

The current station consists of an Elecraft K2. It is fed to either an 88' EDZ antenna, or a Butternut HF9V vertical antenna. I also have a Hendricks PFR-3A which is used for portable ops. When portable, I use either doublets made from speaker wire or a Buddistick or more recently, EFHW antennas, which have been very successful. If it's strictly a mobile operation, I use the Buddistick on a magmount that I can pop on top of the vehicle in a moment's notice. There is nothing better than taking a radio and antenna outdoors and enjoying this hobby in the sunshine. In addition, I just recently ordered a KX3 and am patiently awaiting its arrival. In fact, I sold my K1 that's in the picture to raise funds for the KX3.

W2LJ is a past president of the newly resurrected Piscataway Amateur Radio Club. Membership in other organizations includes the Electronic Testing Society of NJ (ETS of NJ), Raritan Valley Radio Club, ARRL Life Member, QRP ARCI #4488, FISTS #1469, NJQRP #47, Flying Pigs #612, GQRP #11653,Adventure Radio Society #1528, CQC #746, MQFD #35, S.O.C. #619, NAQCC #35, QCWA #32590, SKCC #49 LIQRP #126, NEQRP #650, AKQRP #751, AmQRP Polar Bear #283 and Club72 and recently CW Op #1005. Too many numbers and letters - but it IS fun! Community plays a HUGE part in Amateur Radio and it is great to belong to so many fine organizations.

My operating awards include WAS QRP CW, WAC, and DXCC Millenium, DXCC and the QRP-ARCI's 1000 Miles per Watt Award, and QRP-ARCI's Worked All States, as well as QRP DXCC. In January of 2006, I was accepted into the A-1 Operator's Club. This had been a big dream of mine since my Novice days in the late '70s. A big "Thank You" to the Hams who nominated and seconded me.

W2LJ received (as N2ELW) the QCWA Marconi Chapter's Elmer of the Year Award of 1998 for efforts in running the VE program for the Raritan Bay Amateur Radio Club. W2LJ is still a credited VE with the ARRL VEC.

I actively blog about my passion for Amateur Radio, Morse Code and QRP. Please visit http://w2lj.blogspot.com/if you have some time to kill and like reading about such topics. I try to make it personal; but also topical and timely.

W2LJ is happily married to his wife Marianne Makoski RN CCN; and they happily reside with their son, Joseph Alexander, their daughter, Cara Emily; and their cat, Sandy and their beagle, Harold.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

QRP - totally
Elecraft K3 and Elecraft KX3 to Butternut HF9V or 88' Extended Double Zepp or W3EDP antenna.