Biography
If we've had a QSO, thank you! If we've not had a QSO, I look forward to putting you in the log someday.
The shack consists of a Yaesu FT-450D (100W normally) to a MFJ-969 Versa Tuner Deluxe II antenna matcher out to an full-size G5RV at 40' elevation. My physical location is about two miles SSW of my mailing location.
QSO info:
* Direct: send me your card, I'll send you mine; no postage or SASE needed.
* Bureau: I will send out cards every six months or so.
* LotW, eQSL, Clublog, QRZ Logbook: I try to upload weekly.
Latest log upload: 26 August 2018 (it's been a while since I've been on the air)
I love to collect paper QSL cards from all over the world. I know many might think that's quaint in today's digital age but there's just something about the tactile, tangible feel of a paper QSL card that you can't get with a digital acknowledgement. My QSL cards are made by Hal K6RF and Sue WA6SUE over at Cheap QSLs.
I've been licensed since November 1997 and currently hold my General class license. I'd like to eventually get my Extra class license. The 5 in my call comes from my being stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, while I was in the US Army at the time I earned my license.
I mainly operate HF SSB from 15 to 80 meters but have an interest in the digital modes, especially Feld Hell (Hellschreiber). I'm a paper chaser and enjoy a good ragchew. I occasionally participate in a contest. I especially enjoy Field Day, the 13 Colonies special event, the CQ World Wide DX Contest (SSB), and the ARRL November Sweepstakes. I try to check in to various evening nets on 40 and 80 meters. I occasionally will fire up a 2 meter rig and chat on a local repeater. When I operate, it's usually in the evenings and on weekends Eastern time (UTC -4). Occasionally I'll get up early in the morning to check out the bands before work and during the weekend.
I'm a member of the Feld Hell Club (#6163), ARRL, the American Legion and the American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC).
Please visit my ham radio blog at kd5col.us for more information about me and my hobby. I also will post my recent uploads to LotW, eQSL, Clublog, and my QRZ logbook.
I support the DX Code of Conduct.
Worked DXCCs:
Equipment
HF radios: Yaesu FT-450D, Icom IC-706MKII, Kenwood TS-430S
HF antennas: 85' end-fed wire antenna fed by 20' of RG-8U coax into a 9:1 unun
Antenna matcher: MFJ-949 Deluxe Versa Tuner II
Shack computer: HP EliteDesk 705 SFF running Slackware 64 14.2.
Ham radio software used: Using the TW series of ham radio programs; fldigi; flrig.