Biography

After 40 years after passing the 13wpm code exam, I am working to get back to CW. Just a challenge to this old brain, but fun. When I do get on the bands, if you work me, please be patient.

I always log to: QRZ, QRZCQ, LoTW and eQSL. I will log to HRD Log and Club Log if you request it. I also love to get QSL cards. From my many years of operating, I have thousands, so I will happily reply to QSL cards.


California FreeMason and Past Master
SW Hackett Lodge No.574
San Diego, CA


Been in amateur radio since 1976 and have held several call signs as I moved and upgraded. Original was WB6CHP and that was during the TV show "CHIPS" about the California Highway Patrol so my phonetics were kind of "pre-chosen" for me. Then was KF2XL as I upgraded and moved to New York under contract. Returned and got vanity call W6NYC since I liked my stay in New York. Finally, I had the opportunity to get my initials and was lucky enough to "win" the fight with four others.

Started by building the Heathkit SB-104 which served me very well for 25 years. Then on to the Kenwood TS-870... Always dreamed of having a Kenwood. That served me for 10 years, until 2011 when I just had to have the Yaesu FT-2000. Only the 100 watt model, but I am still impressed with the quality of this thing and the ability to "hear-them-work-them" with just that 100 watts. (My great FT-2000 is now gone. Sold it to cut back a bit. Hated to see it go but sold it to Steve Hebert - KD8WAK, in the UP of Michigan, "the best part of Michigan". He loves it so I know it is in very good hands). Now as of 7-13-17, a new addition to the shack with the Yaesu FTdx-3000. Got such a deal on it, couldn't pass it up. Looks great in the shack and gave me a chance to get behind the desk and vaccuum and straighten some cables out (very daunting task to say the least). Works wonderfully and now have to do something I don't usually do..... Read the Manual!. This thing has many bells and whistles and I would like to know how most of them work.

Love to chase DX with 10 meters as my favorite. Have 210 confirmed countries on that band. Most of that was done in the last sunspot cycle and really wished for some good propagation in this cycle that was predicted to be a great one and it fell flat on its face....Sure would like to complete Honor Roll on 10.

Also enjoy just rag-chewing to learn more about the people I QSO with.

Thanks for looking and I do hope we can work on the bands,

Dennis


Equipment

I now use the Heil PL-2T boom, and my trusty old Audio Technica ATR30 mic. I loved the Kenwood TS-870, but really wanted the newer technology of the Yaesu FT-2000. One great rig. The 2k drives an Ameritron 811H on seldom occasions, and out to my Gap Titan DX antenna or now mainly to the K4KIO Hexagonal Beam. As you can read below, I finally have my 30 foot tower with a Hex-beam on top. Immediate neighbors are fine with it, but still waiting for a shoe to drop by some disgruntled party. Area once had an HOA, but no more. Once had CC&Rs, but they "sunset" 10 years ago. However, we do have a "town council" and who knows if they will try something. Sure hope not.

Update - 6-12-16. Hooray! Neighbors are great and accepted the idea. So, talked with Leo, great guy, and then ordered and in four days, received my K4KIO Hex. My 30' aluminum tilt-over tower from Universal Tower, ordered through Palco Electronics, is on the way soon I hope (won't have to climb). Also bought new rotator cable from K1CRA Radio Store, another great guy and wonderful service. Bought new coax from HRO for the Hex and for the 40 meter inverted vee that will be near the top. Got some of the extra items that are needed. Lots yet to do and things to buy, but maybe within a month, the Hex-Beam will be up!

Update - 6-25-16. All preparations are completed and all necessary parts and pieces to erect the tower and antenna are gathered. Total dollars spent for the entire project is $2,468.57. But, haveing sold the MA5B antenna and GlenMartin short tower for a total net of $532.03, the net for the tower, antenna and all items necessary for the install totals $1,936.54. Now, just waiting for the tower that I was told should ship on the 28th of this month... Fingers crossed.

6-28-16.. Wrong!... Called Universal Tower and found that they are backed up four days. Says my Tower will probably ship either Friday (Nope) or Monday. Since Monday is the 4th of July so look at Tuesday. If that does happen, it will have taken Universal Tower 5 1/2 weeks to ship my tower. Too darn long since Texas Tower site says that Universal Tower usually ships in three weeks and Palco says 3 to 4 weeks!

7-5-16.. Pleasant surprise! Called Universal Tower to find out if they would finally ship today and Lisa, (the temp, since Annette is on vacation), tells me that Annette didn't have a chance to send the email, but my tower was shipped on Friday. Lisa sent me an email and tracking number for the carrier. I checked the delivery date and it looks like Friday the 8th. I sure hope so.

7-7-16.. Good news! Just spoke with R+L Carriers and my tower is in San Diego and delivery is set up for tomorrow between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Then the work begins. Might have it up in that projected month, by July 12th, but should at least be close to that date.

7-8-16.. Tower Arrives. Got the tower at 12:45 pm. Then proceded to mount the thrust bearing, rotator plate, rotator and mast. Also mounted the inverted vee to the top. With the mast 5 feet above the thrust bearing, the base of the Hex-Beam should be at 35 feet. Ready for tomorrow to mount the base and the eave support. Still haven't even built the Hex-Beam, want to make sure all is right with the tower first.

7-9-16.. Holes are drilled and the threaded bolts are epoxyed into the concrete pad.

7-10-16.. Sweet!. The tower is up and it sure looks sweet at 30 feet! My neighbor, Brian, who is not a ham but is a project manager in construction and really knows his stuff did the hard work. He is the one who drilled the holes and epoxyed the bolts yesterday. He had to really force and muscle the tower sections to get them to fit, but done and done.... Wonderful! Now, on to building the K4KIO Hexagonal Beam probably Tuesday or Wednesday.

7-13-16.. I built the Hex-Beam with the help of a dear Masonic friend, Clint. Was a trip, but worked out after about 3 hours. Then Brian came over and the hard work began. The Hex was pushed off to the side a bit, and the tower was lowered far enough to have a 12 foot reach on a ladder to mount the antenna on the tower. We all worked, but as usual, Brian was not only most of the brawn, but lots of the brain too. However, Clint was the one that made the suggestion that saved the day and facilitated the mounting of the antenna to the mast. So, the Hex-Beam is on the 30 foot tower and the tower is up. Now, tomorrow I have to secure the tower to the eave of the roof, then mount the 40 meter inverted vee. Finally, I have to run the three cables through the pvc and into the house to the rig and rotator controller. So close to done.

7-14-16 - Ran the cables through the pvc and into the shack.

FINALLY DONE AND ON THE BANDS!!

Works great. Comparison to the Gap Titan DX, for stations with an
S-2 to 3 on the meter with the Gap, was a S-6 to 7 on the Hex-Beam.

SWR measurements were taken three ways and the results are on the pictures page here: http://www.qsl.net/k6ds/Hex-Beam_Project.html
Most surprised with 10 meters, my favorite band. - very broad.


My Ham Radio website is: http://www.qsl.net/k6ds/


Care to visit our FreeMason website?
http://www.freemason574.org/

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment