Biography

First licensed 1999 as KG4DRQ.
I made my first QSO when I was about 6 years old. One of our neighbors was ham (K8SHC) and with his help I talked to a person in California from Michigan. I can't say that it is when I got the bug, but it did have some input. It only took 40 years to get my license. HI HI
Changed call to AG4RR after getting my Extra Class in 2000.
Work both SSB and PSK31.
QSL Cards:
· NO PAPER! If you send paper, I WILL NOT return one. I WILL return paper if you send SASE.
· eQSL is automatically sent when working PSK31 if I have an Internet connection.
· My log(s) are uploaded to QRZ.com at least once a week.
Clubs:
Ten-Ten # 71183
PODXS 070 #2038
EPC #25851
NDG # 2507
BDM # 5489
Past President of the CKARC, WA4UXJ
Contests: I normally don't work contests. I may answer a contest CQ so you can get a contact, once I have figured out what is needed for the QSO so you can get points.
Current Ham Goals:
1. Work all 50 US States on PSK31. As of 02/28/2017 I need 3
2. Work all Canadian Provinces and Territories on PSK31. As of 03/07/2017 I have 7
3. Spell the 50 US States based on PODXS Ø7Ø Club's Work The World (WTW) Award Series Spell All United States (SAUS) I have a long ways to go yet.
4. Get that 5-BTV antenna installed.
5. Get my 50 ft tower up (only had it since 2000).
Retired March 31, 2012 @ age 59.25 from middle management in Health Care. Now I'm a "Gentleman Farmer” taking care of our laying chickens (eggs for us and family) and the vegetable gardens.
Other hobbies include:
· Cycling both single and tandem up rights and tadpole trikes. Tadpole trikes have become my goto ride.
· Model Railroading.
· Photography
· Wine making and then drinking it.
· Vegetable garden and canning the vegetables
· Target shooting and hunting.
· Racket Ball
Married (since 1973 to the same person) with 3 adult children and 7 grand children.
XYL is a General Class with call KG4GGA

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Radios
· Kenwood TS870 (HF base, new to me in May 2015)
· Kenwood TS50S (HF mobile, portable & back up base)
· Kenwood TM-261 (2 meter mobile, portable & base)
· Radio Shack HTX-10, my first HF radio. Operates only 10 meters (mobile, portable & base).
Antennas
· Base:
o 40 meter homebrewed center fed dipole trimed for 7.2125
o 20 meter homebrewed center fed inverted vee dipole trimed for 14.200
o Hustler 5-BTV (used, still in box) new to me in May 2015
o Homebrewed TRIpole based on OCF ½ wave dipole for 7.2125 MHz Long wire = 64% Short wire = 36% Third wire is cut for a 14.250 MHz ½ wave dipole at 64% See image below. Modeling shows better gain then just a dipole. I have worked 10, 17, 20 and 40 meters without a tuner. There is a 4:1 balun at the antenna feed point
During the middle of a QSO I was told that the TRIpole could not work.
· Ham Sticks (the original ones) for mobile 10, 15, 20 (used the most), 40 & 80 meters
o I used the 20 meter Ham Stick on top of a metal shed and worked Australia when I had no other antenna up.
· 20 meter homebrewed center fed dipole (portable)
· 2 meter
o 1/4 wave (mobile)
o 5/8 wave (mobile)
o Homebrewed 1/4 wave (base)
Interface for digital
· Homebrewed USB