Biography

I am a native of Minnesota, and served in the Army Security Agency, as an equipment repairman, yrs 1963-1967. I am a graduate of Mankato State University with a MS Teaching Degree in Industrial Technology. I taught HS Ind. Tech for 28 years at Waseca High School. Electronics and mechanics were my primary teaching responsibilities. I retired from teaching 2003, and in Dec. 2020 I retired after working 16 years as a system design specialist and as a technical support specialist in the geothermal HVAC industry.

I have been an Amateur Radio Operator since spring of 1964. My dad (Harley) was also a Ham - K0LNJ, but I did not get my lic. until I was away from home in the Army. While stationed at Fort Devens Mass., the Army MARS Station AA1KBO/K1KBO became my only hang out. I currently operate mobile on 2 Meters & 70 cm. I also have a fixed station at home on bands 80m - 70 cm. I also have a portable station operating 80 - 70 cm. You see it in the last three photos above. Mobile is a FTM-500DR, Fixed station Is either a ICON 738 or a FT-710, Portable is a ICOM-706MKIIG. Portable HF antenna is either a full size High Sierra screwdriver on a tripod using a Tarheel radial ground plane, or an ARRL EFHW 40-10. Twin lead j pole is the portable 2m 70cm antenna supported by a 21 foot fishing pole. 

I host a Wires-X PDN using a FTM-100D on 146.560 for local hams. This node, running 5 watts is usually connected to Rm# 28054 (America's "KC Wide").  I also host a Wires-X PDN using a FTM-100D for the local VARS repeater (WA0CJU) operating in AMS mode. Its home room is # 40861 (Southern MN C4FM). The 146.940 is an open repeater with a 141.3 tone squelch for analog only radios.

I'm a member of the Viking Amateur Radio Soceity, which was formed by the employees of the E.F. Johnson Company. I'm also the trustee for the E.F. Johnson Amateur Radio Club, callsign - W0EFJ. Both Clubs are located in Waseca MN. where the E.F. Johnson company built all of the amateur equipment it sold as well as many individual electronic components.

My father Harley was a member of the Amateur Radio Missionary Service. I've been a member now since the late 1990s. We have great fellowship on the air. If you are interested in the ARMS group, you can check out our web page at http://www.qsl.net/arms/. The Midwest Section has a net that meets every Sat. Morning. Time and Freq are posted on the web site.

Equipment

See Biography