N9GZ Callsign on QRZCQ.com

Biography

I was raised on a dairy farm in North Central Illinois. I served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-1975 as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate (ABH, Aircraft Handling) and was stationed on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean working in the Crash Crew on the airfield driving an Oshkosh MB-1 crash rescue truck in 1972 and then worked on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Lexington (CVT-16) in V-1 Division. I worked near the catapults as a handler doing various jobs and also worked in Flight Deck Control and for a short time on the LSO platform. I am retired from the steel industry where I worked as an Electronics/Combustion/Instrumentation Technician but also worked as an Industrial Electrician when needed. Our plant shut down after working there 32 years. I have worked at different jobs since then. I obtained my CDL-A license which opened new doors of opportunity. I worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation as a highway maintainer until retirement in July 2020.

I was first licensed in April 1982 as a novice with the call KA9NGZ. I have also held the calls KC9YN and NF9W before getting my present call in the mid 90's. I enjoy CW very much and thank my mentor/Elmer Mike KN9T(Now W9DY) for keeping me going.

W9AJX (sk)gave me my first ham radio demo and I got hooked after that. Mike,KN9T, gave me my novice test and then made the journey to Chicago to the FCC office downtown to get my General and Advanced. In those days, you had to wait over a month to get your new ticket. I got my 13 wpm the first try and the General written too. I passed my Extra in Princeton,IL in 1985. As a new ham in 1982, I spent my time on the 40 meter and 15 meter CW novice bands every day. The first few contacts were hectic but after I got the hang of it I made many QSOs. After getting my General ticket a few months later, it opened up new CW bands for my use. I had no problem with the 13 and 20 wpm exams because I was so active on CW. After being an Amateur for over 39 years, I still enjoy it. So glad I got into this hobby. I have met so many interesting people from all walks of life. Get on, get active and enjoy!!

Operating with Mike, KN9T (now W9DY), we won the Illinois QSO Party four years in a row running as a portable station on the four county corners of Boone/Ogle/Dekalb/Winnebago. We used a portable generator and wire antennas up in the trees. The Illinois QSO Party is fun because it is only 8 hours long. It just takes time to get set up and then tear it all down in the dark! Also used my Haulmark cargo trailer as a "shack" It makes for a long day but glad for the results. In the next two years, we won the three county portable from Marshall/LaSalle/Putnam county corners near my home.

I live in Putnam county which is the smallest county in Illinois. My home was built in the 1840's and is one of the oldest homes in the area. This area was widely settled by Quakers in the 1830's. Some of those decendants still live in the area. There is not one traffic light in the whole county!

My first HF rig was a Hallicrafters SR-150 and then found a Kenwood TS-520s that was almost brand new. I also enjoy shortwave listening. I used a Hallicrafters SX 100 MKII and Drake 2B for SWL but sold them.

My Son, Joshua, W0WDX, who lives in Minnesota, recently passed his Amateur Extra exam and look forward to many QSO's in the future. It was fun watching him go from Technician to Extra class. It reminded me of my own journey and hearing his excitement about all the new things he discovered brought back many memories.

I enjoy HF CW operation. In my opinion, everyone should aquire a basic knowledge of Morse Code.

I have been involved with traffic handling since the mid 80's.

I am a current member of the Illinois Valley Radio Association K9AVE.

OMISS 943. Joined November 1982.

SKCC 15708

True Blue DX club #704

WAS, WAC, RCC

ARRL Code Proficiency Certificate with 20 wpm endoresment.

QSL: LOTW, eQSL, QRZ, Direct (no SASE needed)

Worked DXCCs:

View my worked DXCCs

Equipment

Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V (200 watts)

Yaesu FT-991A with a YT-1200 tuner, MD 100A8X microphone

Yaesu FT-847 with a YT-847 tuner

Icom IC-746PRO

Yaesu FTM-400XD for mobile using a Diamond NR22L antenna with a Diamond K400s mount.

Yaesu FTM-400XD in the shack

Palstar AT1500CV tuner

(2) Kenwood TH-F6 tri-band Handi Talkies

Icom IC-02AT Handi Talkie (my first HT)

SDRplay RSPdx on a dedicated PC using various antennas. Amazing to use and highly recommend it. You can move around the whole radio spectrum with ease. So much out there to find.

My HF Antenna is a Maxcon 80-6 meter Off Center Fed Dipole at 45 feet.

Tram 1480 dual band vertical (VHF/UHF) at 45 feet.

Wideband discone antenna for the SDR receiver at 40 feet.

2 meter horizontal halo at 45 feet.

Elevation 700 Ft ASL.

I use a Begali Sculpture paddle, UR5CDX paddle, Bencher BY-1 Iambic paddle and a Speed-X straight key for cw.