Biography

First licensed in 1967, this radio hobby has been a wonderful influence throughout my entire life, even if I wasn't always on the air on HF. Finally retired in 2021 so am transmitting again after a nearly 15 year absence, tweaking the antennas, resurrecting and adding to the gear so I can talk (and tap) again.

Have had numerous careers, from motorcycles to photojournalism to IT Support.

QTH elevation ~5,000 feet above sea level, about 10 miles east of the foothills of the Rockies.

Please use physical address for postal QSL cards which I hope people still use from time to time.

Equipment

A Kenwood TS-870 is the current HF rig, a great radio. It replaced my long time favorite Drake twins, R-4B receiver and T-4XB transmitter, but there are still tubes in the shack in a Kenwood TS-530.

The "modern" radios have been a real eye opener for me in so many ways after the long layoff. I was initially surprised at how completely the radio has become entwined with computers and the internet, but I wasn't paying attention. Now I am! The learning curve is a never-end learning project and am enjoying the challenge.

The Kenwoods feeds a rooftop inverted V doublet through 450 ohm ladder line, tuned with an MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner, fabulous and fast. There is also a 3 band self supporting fan dipole for 15, 12 and 10 meters. On the ground is an experiment, a 10 meter vertical cobbled together from an old camera tripod and a military surplus whip antenna in the back yard, which worked surprisingly well with 4 radials strung out. Still hoping for some hot action from Cycle 25.

A Yaesu FT-8900R handles 2m/70cm and radiates into a Diamond DMN-X30A dual-band vertical on the side of the house but above the roof.

Long term rehabilitation projects: Hallicrafters SX-122 and a Heath HX-20 exciter.