Biography
At hitting 70 years old, I RETIRED ! (November 2019)
Now time for Radio.
I began my venture into radio as a SWL in 1957 using WW2 surplus gear.
The sunspot number hit a record that year of 190. Also called the International Geophysics
Year, First SWL card was from CO3IGY (special callsign)
Popular Electronics Magazine had a SWL club and gave out call signs, I was WPE8HFC in 1960.
I was first licensed in 1963 as WN8KSE,then upgraded my license and changed to WA8QFE.
I operate 99% CW, but I do own a couple microphones. I would just have to find them!
In real life, I am a Aviation Electronics Technician and also hold a FAA Airframe and Powerplant License, and FCC Commercial License with Radar Endorsement (formally First Class). I held a commercial Radiotelegraph License before I had my Novice Ham ticket,former Chief Engineer in Commercial Broadcasting, and a former Aircraft Flight Engineer.
My IARU Coordinated 10 meter beacon operates on 28,2183,when I'm not on 10 meters,
2 watts, Omni Directional.
Since 2006 I am a QRP operator.
My first QRP contact was 9Y3AA on 26/11/2006.
All worked DXCC on this site are QRP.
I have the QRPARCI 5000 mi/w award.
Member of several clubs:
SKCC 3418, NAQCC 2120, FPQRP 1820,
QRPARCI 13433, MIQRP 1797,4SQRP 213,QRP Club of New England #839,
RU CQCW 295,and GQRP 13717.Respect of the QRP Frequencies #255.
I am former HL9KY (1979-80), A25LT, and operated
/ZS6, /ON, /KZ5, /LZ, and operated at a Club Station
in Cherven Briac, BG (LZ130SV/QRP). I had an apartment in Sofia,Bulgaria for 2 years
and Oostende, Belgium for 6 years, also worked near Pretoria, South Africa for 2 years
at Wonderboom Airport.
The Lockheed L1011 cargo aircraft in my Pix had 2 Collins
628T transceivers and yes, I did operate some /AM.
The Missile Coordinates on my page is accurate enough that it points exactly to the
Condo I live in at Indianapolis.(About 2 miles west of the Indy 500 track.)
I actually live in Speedway, IN, 46224.
Worked DXCCs:
Equipment
QRP:
Heathkit HW-9 Station plus I have acquired 1 un-built HW-9 w/ WARC kit.
Ten-Tec Argonaut 509 (2), K2 Twins, KX2, and Yaesu FT-817ND.
QRO:
Drake TR7, Amplifier is Heathkit SB-220.
Misc:
Many QRP kit radios: Wilderness Radio "Sierra", MFJ Cub 17,
NEQRP 40-40, SW 40+, Rockmite, Green Mountain 15, and others.
Bitx multi-band in-work, Russian Klopik 2 by RV3LE, next! I am a home-brewer.
I have 2 30Ah Lipo batteries,and 85 watt Solar panel for portable work.
When camping, I use a Buddipole system and various wires.
At home my antenna's are covert "wire". Here we have Housing Assoc. restrictions, and in the coming months I will be moving to a location with room for antennas.
For straight key night I have a Globe Chief 90A with new Russian Mil. Spec. pair of 807's.
( My tnx to friends in Kiev ),a Harvey Wells 50D, and a Heathkit AT-1, the Receiver for these is a Hallicrafters S40. I love old boat anchor radios and the glow of tubes.
I have a CIA RS-1 set I fire up occasionally.
I collect keys, early wire line instruments and have a couple old xtal sets.