Biography

I became interested in the radio hobby when working for my radio merit badge in Boy Scouts in 1954. My first receiver was a Knight kit, Ocean Hopper. In 1955 I upgraded my receiver to a Hallicrafter’s S-38E with a Heath Kit QF-1 Q-Multiplier. I passed my Novice test and received the call of KN3BIM in July of 1957 and went on the air using a homebrew CW transmitter with the S-38E receiver. I passed my General test in July of 1958 and received the call K3BIM. I upgraded my station to a Hallicrafters SX-99 receiver and built a HeathKit DX-40 CW/AM transmitter with a VF-1 VFO. In 1958 I joined USAF MARS as a member of Northeastern Net #3 using the call sign AFA3BIM.
As a member of MARS, I received a BC454 receiver and BC456 transmitter complete with a control box and dynamotor. Using screen grid AM modulation I went mobile using an 80 Meter mono-bander coil loaded whip off the rear deck of my grandfather's 1957 Chevy. I talked him into cutting a ¾” hole in the rear deck of his new car for the antenna by making him the magician of the town by lighting fluorescent tubes in his hands while I keyed the mike from inside the car! After high school, I joined the Air Force and was assigned to the 46th Air Defense Missile Squadron outside of McGuire AFB, NJ as a weapons fusing specialist. After the Air Force, I relocated to NJ and worked for RCA in Camden, NJ on Project Apollo. During this time through 1974, I operated under the call of W2CGO. In September 1974 I relocated to the state of Georgia and received the call K4KSA. I became very active in HF AM/SSB Phone using Collins R-390A and Hallicrafters HT-44 and later a new Yaesu FT-101EE Transceiver. I received the Bicentennial WAS#982 in 1976, 75 MTR Phone WAS and 40 MTR Phone WAS in 1977, and worked about 35 countries confirmed toward DXCC. But as luck would have it I moved again and ended up in California. I tried working with my K4 call but the Japanese buzzed me continuously thinking I was a coveted East Coast contact, so I gave up and requested a new call and received N6BDI. I got into 2 meter FM & RTTY using a Commodore PET 2001 computer and a home-brewed interface. I also dabbled in mobile QRP HF on 10 meters using a Ten-Tec Argonaut 515, but I still worked HF Phone running the Yaesu FT-101EE. In the fall of 1980, my family and I moved home to PA and settled in Montgomery County. I applied for a new call and was assigned N3CHX. I got heavier into RTTY both using the Green Keys of an old model 15 TTY & a Commodore C-64 computer. I also got into packet radio using a discarded Z80 Xerox computer and a TAPAR TNC-1 and also ran a BBS using a Kantronics KPC-4 TNC and a Commodore C-64. I retired in 2004 and now that I'm retired I prowl 160 thru 10 Mtr HF bands and the 6, 2, and 70-centimeter band working openings when they occur. I gained my DXCC & RTTY, Digital, and General WAS in 2010. My Club numbers are EPC#3643, DMC#919, 070#730, 30MDG #0879 , FT8DMC #05857, Field Hell #2967 and Rooster #1361. If you need a schedule, contact me via n3chx@aol.com and we can arrange one!

I am now located in High Point, NC as of 12/01/2022!
I use e-QSL, QRZCQ, and QRZ or will send QSL cards if requested or in turn. So give me a call when you hear me on the bands or in a contest!
Contacts from 07/2021 with N3CHX/4 until 12/01/2022 will count as contacts for location in High Point, NC FM06aa, as well as contact after 12/01/2022 with N3CHX! Contacts with N3CHX after 12/01/2022 are with station location at 2126 Rivermeade Drive High Point, NC 27265, Guilford County, Grid FM06aa!

The station setup is an Icom 7300 feeding an MFJ Intellaturner model 993B! The amplifier is an RM BLA350 Plus solid-state compact 300-watt Linear Amplifier used when needed, feeding a Hustler 5BTV antenna mounted on a 385-foot long x 4-foot high chainlink fence! This setup seems to act like an off-center fed dipole as I can operate from 160 meters thru 6 meters very effectively! My backup HF and VHF primary station is an Icom 746 feeding an MFJ Intellatuner model 929. Digital connections are made through a Signal Link USB unit! The primary computer is an Acer Aspire 5 Windows 10 laptop for digital applications like Fldigi, Ham Radio Deluxe, and WSJT-X! I run RTTY, PSK, FT8, FT4, CW, and SSB modes using this setup and have received a WAS for FT8 and FT4 from the NC location!

I'm also operating a WSPR Beacon station 24/7 since December 1st, 2023
The WSPR Transmitter is by Zach/tech @ 200 Milliwatt output, feeding a 40-, 20-, 15-, and 10-meter Fan Dipole at 12 feet above ground. The height above sea level is about 780 feet. Programmed to transmit on 80,40,30,20,15and 10-meter bands. Signal reports are welcome via WSPR.net or email to n3chx@aol.com!

73's and Good DXing!

Ron N3CHX
73's and Good DXing! Ron N3CHX

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

1-ICOM 746,1-ICOM 7300 w/ MFJ-993B AutoTuner
Antennas: 160-6 meter Hustler 5BTV Vertical mounted on a 385ft long x 4ft high chainlink fence
WSPR transmitter Zacktech 200mw transmitter feeding a Fan Dipole for 40,20,15,10 meters!