Hi,

My name is James Irvine. My previous callsigns were KA0FLL and KC0WNH. I earned my first ticket in 1979 at the age of 17. I am pleased that my first callsign (KA0FLL) has since been granted to my mother.

My first humble but functional station consisted of a Hallicrafters SX-28A reciever, a Central Electronics 20-A Exciter and a WRL Globe LA-1 Amplifier.

I did not have a VFO at that time so I had to pencil or grind old military crystals that a local Elmer had given me. My antenna's were home made wire dipoles strung up between the trees in my parents backyard.

My first contact was on August 12 1979 running just the exciter at 15 watts from our home in Northville, SD to Dave (VE7EWW) in Sardis, BC Canada. I still have that first QSL card and I note that Dave gave me a nice 599.  A little over 1100 Miles on 15 Watts, not to terrible for a novice first timer!

A Central 20A Exciter and a Globe linear are still part of my present station. Unfortunatley my orginal SX-28A and the 20A Exciter were stolen in 1986.

My present station also includes the following: IC-756 PROII, FT-897D, TS-940S, TS-930S, TS-520SE, Henry 2-KD Classic, HW-101, Radius P110, a few Maxar 80's, several scanners, NC-98, TH7DX, VB-25FM, ARX2B, Buddipole Deluxe, a discone, assorted Jpoles and a few wire dipoles.

When not pursuing DX I enjoy ragchewing on 20 meter phone, 40 meter CW and occasional SSTV. Hope to CU on the radio soon.

Bye for now and 73.