Biography

I was always interested in electronics. My parents had a Grundig console radio with shortwave bands which I listened to when we lived in France in the 1950s. I had a crystal radio and used to take my dad's AM radio apart to see what was inside. I signed up for electronics class in High School. Two of the teachers had their amateur radio licenses and my high school also had a radio club station.This is when I got bitten by the ham radio bug. The sponsors of our radio club provided Morse Code classes and I was fortunate to be learning the theory in my school classes with the opportunity to build power supplies, radios, and fix televisions from a local motel. Finally in 1966 I was rady to go to the Fedreral building and take my novice test. I passed both the written and code tests and received my license about 5 weeks later in the mail, WN7FTW. Getting on the air was even more fun. I built a Heathkit HR10 receiver and the Heathkit DX60A crystal controlled transmitter. My dad helped me put a 40 meter dipole on the roof and was on the air a few weeks later. In those days with the crystal controlled transmitters operating split was the only option. I still remember my first CW contact.

The following year, 1967, I passed tests for my General class and my call changed to WA7FTW. I added a 20 Meter fanpole, again with my dad's help, and built a Heathkit SB101. I started working on my Advance but with other demands in my life I chose to defer that pursuit. My local Special Forces National Guard unit was looking for radio operators and recruited me. During that radio school my code speed got up to 35 wpm copying by hand. I have recently joined SKCC (NR 20347) and plan to improve and stay up on Morse Code speed and operating.

With work and family obligations I let my license lapse and lost my original callsign. Later I got back into the hobby and finally got my Extra Class ticket and requested the call I have now, W7VQ.

I am active in my local emergency communications as a member of ARES and RACES. I participate in two NTS nets to keep my message handling skills ready. I enjoy contests as a means to improve my operating skills and am learning as much as I can about digital modes.

I hope to meet you on the air.

es vy 73 de W7VQ

Equipment

My main station is an ICOM 7300. Antennas A4S Yagi, 6BTV vertical, OCF wire