Biography

November 18th, 1975 was the day I received the callsign that I still have today. I was 13 years old. (47 years ago.)

I am thankful for my dad (Tom - WAØUJZ - Silent Key) who gave me all of the support I needed to pass the Novice code and theory back then. Pat Patterson (KØFJT - Silent Key) led our class of teenagers through learning code and theory. After I received my license, I worked CW using a Heathkit HW-8 QRP transceiver and a Heathkit electronic keyer that I had assembled. I really enjoyed hooking my rig and keyer up to some lantern batteries and throwing a 15 meter dipole up between two trees in the park, at our cabin, or just in our backyard. Back in the mid to late '70s, it seemed like 15 meters was frequently very usable. In the '80s, I played around with 2m packet radio. Around 1995 I did a deep-dive into RTTY using an old Commodore VIC-20 and a Kantronics Hamsoft cartridge terminal program. It seems I've always had a strong interest in data modes. In 1999, we sold our home (along with my tower) to another amateur radio operator, and for various reasons I went QRT for about 20 years. In mid-2021, with my XYL's encouragement, I rekindled my love for the hobby/service and have happily discovered that there are many more areas of interest available to amateur radio operators today! Thankfully, I didn't let my license lapse.

Parks on the Air:

I am fairly heavily involved in Parks on the Air (POTA). I have been hunting and activating using SSB, FT8, FT4 and CW. I'm almost exclusively activating using CW these days. I absolutely love that mode and its simplicity! I'm really looking forward to activating new parks wherever I go, and I hunt whenever I can. POTA activations are great practice and build some skills in me that might otherwise be neglected. I strongly encourage folks to give POTA a try as a hunter first, then as an activator. (POTA Sign-up)

Transceivers:

I have several QRP rigs now: A Xiegu G90 - a great little inexpensive rig and perfect for POTA activations; an Icom IC-705, a Yaesu FT-818ND, a Lab599 Discovery TX-500, an Elecraft KX3, and two QRP Labs QCX-Mini transceivers in 20m and 40m configurations. I also have a QRP Labs QDX 4-band 5W Digi transceiver for QRP digital modes. My home rigs are a Yaesu FTDX10, a Yaesu FTDX101MP, two Yaesu FT-891s, and an Icom IC-7300. I also run my dad's Kenwood TS-440S/AT from time to time which went into service in October of 1990 and is still running great today, thanks to Paul at Jahnke Electronics! My VHF/UHF handhelds include an Icom ID-52A and a Yaesu FT5DR. I run a couple of AURSINC Hotspots to get on digital modes. When I'm not on the air, I run a ZachTek WSPR Desktop transmitter just to keep an eye on band conditions.

Antennas:

My antennas are a 20/40 meter dipole at 30 feet using a Bencher ZA-1A 1:1 balun, a Palomar Engineers Bullet-9 (9:1 UnUn) 270 foot EFRW, and seven very simple ground-mounted verticals tuned for 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m and 80m (with a coil). I have had some great DX with these antennas! For POTA activations, I use a Wolf River Coils Silver Bullet 1000 or the PackTenna 20/40 meter EFHW or the PackTenna 9:1 EFRW. I have recently been testing a Tufteln 9:1 EFRW QRP antenna with a 55' radiating element and a 17' ground radial, coupled with a 50' length of RG316 and an in-line choke near the transceiver end. Results have been very good with DX contacts in Spain, England and France running 10 watts during recent POTA activations. For mobile operations, I use an assortment of MFJ monoband mobile HF Ham-tenna Whips, and my favorite mobile antenna, the Yaesu ATAS 120A.

I'm determined to keep improving my Morse code! I have purchased a couple of beautiful Begali keys (pictured below) and a K1EL Systems WKUSB WinKeyer3 for integration with Ham Radio Deluxe software and for use with contesting. I've thrown my hat into the ring and completed the intermediate CW Academy class in 2022. I intend to take part in the advanced CW Academy class when time allows, but I am now fairly easily copying 30 WPM. "Head Copy" is a new concept for me, and has definitely helped me to improve my copy speed and accuracy. If you want to learn (or relearn) code, I would highly recommend the CW Academy. I have also joined the Long Island CW Club, and am looking forward to my involvement there! So much to do, so little time!

I am Vice President & CIO at a nearby insurance company here in Omaha, Nebraska. I'm married and have three daughters, one son, and three grandsons.

Jim Vaughan WBØRLJ
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Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Elecraft KX3
Icom IC-7300
Icom IC-705
Icom ID-52A
Kenwood TS-440S/AT
Lab599 Discovery TX-500
QRP Labs QCX-mini (20m & 40m)
QRP Labs QDX Digi Transceiver
Yaesu FTDX10
Yaesu FTDX101MP
Yaesu FT5DR
Yaesu FT-818ND
Yaesu FT-891
Xiegu G90
ZachTek WSPR Desktop Transceiver

20/40 Meter Dipole at 30'
Palomar Engineers Bullet-9 9:1 EFRW
Ground-Mounted Verticals for 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m & 80m