Biography

W6NEV QSL INFO:
I QSL via LoTW and Club Log, typically uploaded twice a week.
I also QSL all cards received if you are in my log. No SASE required.
DX QSLs are via the bureau. I QSL direct if requested (no SASE required).
Sorry, no eQSL, no IRCs.
A note regarding FT8/4 contacts, if we don't exchange 73s, you are not in my log.

QST QST QST de W6NEV. The handle is Marty.
As a young boy growing up in Bellingham, Washington, I used to listen to AM radio stations on a small desktop radio. Then I got a Silverstone floor console radio that had better sensitivity. I began listening for the most distant stations I could hear. Many nights, I could hear stations from the east coast. What a thrill.

In 1960 I read a book called "SOS at Midnight" and it piqued my interest in amateur radio. I earned my Novice license, KN7RHB, while attending Bellingham High School. Shortly thereafter I upgraded to Conditional and dropped the "N" from the call. I took both the Novice and Conditional exams in the KPUG AM broadcast station operating studio in Bellingham. The station engineer, Harry Lewis, W7JWJ gave me the tests.

I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1967 and was issued W6NEV. Sadly, my interest in ham radio waned and I let my license expire. After about 30 years, my interest was re-kindled by a friend of my parents. I earned my General in 1997 and got KF6KKJ as a call. In 1998 I up graded to advanced and noticed that W6NEV was available as a vanity call. Jumping at the chance asnd I got my original California call back; WOW, W6NEV again. In 1999 I upgraded to Extra.

My home station consists of a Yaesu FT-1000MP feeding a Mosley MP-33 Tri-Band antenna. I have a 40M Bazooka but no 80 M antenna yet. On 2 meters I use an FT-2800M feeding a commercial discone antenna. I have an FT-857 in the minivan feeding hamsticks for HF and a Comet Vertical for VHF/UHF. The hand held is an FT-60R. I also have an FT-840, FT-920, and an FT-1800M in mothballs. I guess by default I'm a Yeasu fan. I have never believed when a new radio is acquired, you get rid of an old one.

I am active with the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association (PAARA). Field Day is a really big effort by PAARA and I am Station Captain for Phone B. We'll likely be adding digital to Phone B station.

I retired from United Airlines June 30, 2002 after almost 37 years of service. I was a radio/electric mechanic for 20 years and an avionics systems engineer for the remaining 17 years. The last four years at United were spent working on an exciting airborne astronomy program called SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy; http://www.sofia.usra.edu). While on the program, I worked with many very interesting and immensely talented astronomers and astrophysicists.

After retiring from United, I worked 3 years at Orchard Supply Hardware, 2-1/2 years at Applied Materials, a semi-conductor equipment manufacturing firm, and 1-1/2 years at MRL Industries, a high temp furnace firm for the semi-conductor industry. I have retired again, this time for good. My other interests include astronomy, photography, airplanes, and travel. The order of these hobby’s changes almost daily depending on my mood.

As my QSL card may suggest, my favorite travel destination is Yosemite National Park. It is a place of refuge and soul rebuilding for me when the San Francisco Bay Area depletes my reserves.

I'll be looking for you on the air. 73 and thanks to all who have visited my QRZ page.

Marty, W6NEV
Rev:09 August 2020

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

My home station consists of a Yaesu FT-1000MP feeding a Mosley MP-33 tribander at 33 ft. On 2 meters I use an FT-2800M feeding a commercial discone antenna. My Dodge Caravan has an FT-857D installed. I'm using Hamsticks for HF and a 2M/220/440 mag mount for VHF/UHF. The hand held is an FT-60R. I also have an FT-840, FT-920,and an FT-1800M in mothballs. I guess by default I'm a Yeasu fan.