Licensed in 1957 as WN3KYN, upgraded to General at age 14 - W3KYN. Upgraded to Advanced and Extra in 1983 during the last FCC administered tests. I applied for and received my present call, K3GW, as a vanity call in 1996 (my initials and of course it is shorter on cw).

I switch between ragchewing and contesting and prefer CW over phone. Also, the county where I live, it is relatively difficult for county hunters - I will schedule anyone wanting Fayette County Pennsylvania.

I recently purchased a new ICOM IC-7700 and retired my old TS940S/AT. In addition I have an old Dentron MLA-1200 converted from a single 8875 to an 8874 and a Tempo 2001 with 2x8874's. Both amps have been upgraded with new caps, grid protection, etc. I use simple wire dipole antennas on 30 and 40, and a newly rebuilt (using the M2 upgrade hardware - great stuff!) KLM KT34A at 60 feet on 20/15/10. My new tower project was a success mainly because of my friend Jim, WO3Z - without his help and guidance, it wouldn't be a reality!

I have finally achieved 5BDXCC. I QSL 100% upon receipt or request. ALL of my QSO's back to the spring of 1983 are on LoTW with new QSO's added every month or so.

Oh, yes, a special thanks to all the dx stations, the dxpedition stations and their managers. Without them, we wouldn't have the fun of working far away places!!