Biography

So, if you are reading this, you must have made a contact with me... Or, for some reason, just interested.

FIRST, when logging, PLEASE do not use a /P or anything else in the call. QRZ, LOTW, etc will not connect the two and I'll not be able to validate the contact. PLEASE and thank you.

I've been a ham since April 2001 and got my ticket while living in the Atlanta area, thus the 4 call. I was very active and even the AEC for the county ARES group. I ran nets and other fun stuff as a tech and even built my own 6 meter antenna which I made several contacts.

I moved to Houston a few years back and really wasn't active at all. It's been hard to get back into the swing of things and one day I just made the choice to study and take the General class exam. I took it at NASA for bragging rights even though it really didn't matter much. Some folks ask why I didn't change to a 5 call and to that I say why? I have EVERYTHING set up for KG4NDS. I even have my email set up with that call so it would be tough to do. Maybe, one day, I might change to a shorter call but who knows.

The QTH is a condo just outside of the "beltway" or Highway 8, 2 miles south from where I-10 intersects Hwy 8 on the West side. The HOA has a pretty strict antenna requirements, AKA, none allowed, I have to be very creative with my antenna choices. I have a rain gutter downspout "antenna" hooked up and it seems to be working as expected. It's not a G5RV or a $600 multi-band vertical but it works. I was about to make several contacts on it so far including some DX. The radios at the QTH AND at in the truck are both Kenwood TS-480SAT's. Got a great deal on them new so why not. They don't take up a lot of room and in a condo, space is a premium commodity.

I do a lot of attempts at QSO's at work because it's a bit further West from where I live and a LOT more quiet on the bands. My QTH is RF noisy and there isn't much I can do about it.

I listen to 40 meters a lot but also around 17 and 20 meters as well. Mostly between 11am UTC and 9:30pm UTC during the week. That is when I'm either going to work or coming from work. I have more time in the AM than the PM and the band seems to be a bit quieter in the morning.

PLEASE, PLEASE confirm me on QRZ or on LOTW so that I can count the QSO for awards if available. it's just another fun thing to do and I show friends and family to possibly tweak some interest in ham radio if it's there. I log to QRZ, LOTW and Clublog so that the stations I contact have 3 chances for confirmation if they choose. I also try and send out QSO cards to all my phone contacts. I don't really expect one back but it REALLY is nice when I do! I WILL send a QSO card back on any valid contact made on any mode if one is sent to me. No need for a SASE even though it's appreciated, it's not needed.

Thanks and 73

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

The equipment list is a Kenwood TM D700 (the older version) which is mounted on the top. and the Kenwood TS-480SAT at the bottom. I use a Turbo Tuner to control the antenna which is a Little Tarheel II 6-80 Meter. It has a 54" whip on the top which makes it a bit better with signal. The mount for the control heads is for Lido radio products.

@ QTH I also have a Kenwood TS-480SAT going to a Rain Gutter Downspout with a 9:1 UNUN match. Tunes 6-160 meters