Biography

I go by my middle name (Russell) but I prefer to be called RUSTY.

I am a Marine, October 6, 1969 to October 5, 1973 - Vietnam 1971 to 1972, and served with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). Our squadron flew the A-6A, A-6B, KA-6D tanker and EA-6B Prowler aircraft. I was promoted to meritorious Corporal (E-4) and promoted to Sergeant (E-5) while in Vietnam. I am presently 50% disabled through the Veteran's Administration.

My hobbies include: HAM radio, CB radio, reloading ammo for rifles and pistols, photography and model trains, both HO scale and Lionel 027.

I attended Clayton Jr. College in Forest Park, GA, and graduated with an Associates in Psychology in 1978. Clayton Jr. College is now Clayton State College. I am currently retired.

My old call sign was KO4IDL and I received my vanity call sign which is now K9POW. Got my General class license in November, 2020.

If you need to e-mail me, my e-mail address is: TwoLane2@msn.com

God bless the USA, the U.S. Marine Corps and all Ham radio operators.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Yaesu FT-4VR, Boafeng UV-5RE - Both are HT's
ACI AC-20 20 watt linear amplifier for 2 meter
20 watt solar recharger supply and 8 amp hour lead acid battery
Kenwood TS 430S HF Transceiver with a Kenwood PS 430 linear power supply
(Yaesu FTM 3100 2 Meter Transceiver)- No more- Finals are burnt out
Using a Kenwood TM 281A 2 meter transceiver (borrowed until I get me a new 2 meter rig)
Now have a LDG Z-100 Auto Tuner for the HF rig
Antennae: 88/44 OCF long wire HF antenna
Arrow Open Stub J-Pole 2 meter/70cm antenna
Copper J-Pole 2 meter
Antron 99 for 11 meters

*********As a note: I believe that Kenwood transceivers are better made than Yaesu, especially the 3000 series of Yaesu 2 meter radios. The finals only last around 2 years in the Yaesu
2 meter radios. I've seen quite a few of Yaesu 3000 series radios' that have been junked
because the finals have burnt out. Not so with the Kenwood 2 meter radios. I use 2 meters more extensive than my HF rig for local QSO's and local networks.*************************************