Biography

Update Jan 2026:

Been working a lot of DX at my new location. I am temporarily using a ground mounted (home made) vertical and my qth is at the bottom of surrounding hills so somewhat of a high angle of radiation, but getting out. My 10 meter home made Yagi is built and tested fine but still need to adjust the frequency for approx. 28.4 MHz; it is still sitting on the ground.

I put together my elements for a 12/17 meter Yagi, and also a combo 15/20 meter Yagi. The elements are done and need to be mounted to the boom. I still do not have any tower at this time but still looking at a tree on my hillside..... I trimmed it so it is ready and will put my 10 and 6 meter Yagi on that.... my 6 meter Yagi is made but still need to tune it better for 51 Mhz. I am also considering a simple wooden made tower that will tilt over. My Zepp is still sitting in the shack. I have 2 trees picked out but one tree is about 100 feet tall and need tree climbing gear, and once again, need to clear a path to it.... in my location in Eastern Tennessee, things here grow like the Tropics, and very difficult to keep under control. Everything in time. With the winter here now.... difficult to do things as at times the temp outside here in the mountains is around 16 degrees, the lowest I hit was 9 degrees, avg is about 25 to 35 F. My old age and arthritis do not help either... hands hurt more in the cold.

I have my 144 / 220 / 440 Yagi's and Sat antennas ready to go up, but need a rotor.

Finally, Proud to be in Tennessee - so much more FREEDOM here than in California !!!
Will update as time goes on.
73's
Norm (WB6ARO)


Update:

Nov 2024...

Running only 50 watts !!

Running new rig on UHF/VHF/1.2Ghz and have my verticals set up but not up on tilt-over mast yet. Made a J-Pole for 6 meters and is ok.... trying to set up FT8 or similar; and this week I made a simple vertical ,ground mounted, and in the process of making a home made 6 element beam for 10 meters - sitting on the ground right now. My driven elements will be 2 in phase, and I am working on a 4:1 Balun for it.

I worked Canary Island many times, Brazil, England, Spain, Argentina, J69Z, Jamaica the La Ponma Island (spelled wrong).... and many others, but happy and I am running only 50 watts. Can't wait to get my full size yagi up and running on 20 and 15.

Since I do not have a tower, I am looking at making a tilt-over mast, and I am also looking at some of the tall trees on my land here in Tennessee. They look like they will make a good simple tower for 10 meters. Finally, I built a Zepp Antenna for 160 to 6 meters but not up either. I am hoping to string it up between 2 trees.... everything in time.

73's

Norm



2023 and prior:

Please note: I have been off the low bands for many years. There is a illegal operator using my call sign in the east part of the San Francisco, CA bay area. He is near the City of Oakland, the City of Alameda, San Leandro, and/or Berkeley area which is about 10 to 15 miles from my home QTH. He also has a yacht or boat docked at the Alameda Marina.... he is trying to sell. There has also been a person using my call further south towards Half Moon Bay area.

Complaints have been filed with the FCC and I have a case number. This has been going on for over 1 year. Any concerns, please contact me at my qth address directly as shown with the FCC or ARRL. I also have a temp email address of: nh19926@gmail.com.