GREETINGS FROM TENNESSEE!

First, For QSL'ers:

(1) I QSL 100% to all received cards regardless of direct or buro!

(2) Return postage NOT required! I will return ALL cards, domestic or DX, on my dime. A pre-addressed, return envelope ONLY is   appreciated, but not required! (My writing isn't what it used to be!)

(3) SWL cards welcomed!

(4) I do NOT participate in eQSL or LOTW. It's not that I am a "Luddite", but it means something to me to hold a card that I know that was handled by you. Consider it 'the human touch'!

My current QSL card, provided courtesy of KB3IFH Printing.

If you're in the market for QSL printing services, I can wholeheartedly recommend Randy's outstanding service. I went through several permeations of what I wanted, including a custom backside, and each time Randy responded immediately with a .pdf 'proof'. Not one dime passed hands until I liked what I saw, and then delivery was within days. If only so many other things in our lives were so sure and trouble free!

Thanks, Randy!

Now, A Public Service Message For Communicators and Aviators Alike

Subtitled "Yes, YOU Can Help Save A Life WithYOUR Radio!"

Due to changing technologies, the SARSAT, or (S)earch (A)nd (R)escue (SAT)ellite program no longer monitors the civilian aviation distress frequency of 121.5mHz. This means that older aircraft that have not installed the newer 406mHz ELT's, or Emergency Locator Transmitters, and suffer an accident may not have their automatic distress beacon intercepted.

This frequency is also used by older versions of PLB's, (Personal Locator Beacons) and some EPIRB's, (Emergency Position and Identification Reporting Beacons) for maritime use. An activation of one of the older style devices may go unanswered.

PLEASE! If you own a VHF rig or scanner capable of monitoring this frequency, add it in! IF YOU HEAR the distinctive whoop-whoop-whoop of an ELT, please do the following:

(1) Call the nearest Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station, FAA Control Tower or United States Coast Guard facility and alert them to your find (Usually in your phone book in the blue pages under "United States Government"). Be prepared to give them your name, a return telephone number and your physical address. (Remember, your QRZ.COM listing has your lattitude and longitude in it.)

Be calm, be polite and don't embellish your report. "Just the facts, Ma'am."

(2) If you don't have an FAA or Coast Guard facility near by or can't find your phone book (who can, these days?), call 9-1-1 and be prepared to tell them the same information. Remember, however, that 9-1-1 operators are not used to getting such calls, so be ready to tell them who you are and what you are hearing, politely and directly. They may want to send a police officer or deputy sheriff to your location to see for themselves. Unfortunately there are those who abuse 9-1-1 with prank calls (off with their heads!). Don't be insulted. This is an excellent opportunity for "good PR" for Amateur Radio.

(3) If you are mobile and can safely stop where you are, do so, then call 9-1-1 as suggested above. But no matter what, DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY! Again, be ready to tell them who you are, what you're hearing and provide a location as exact as you can. No more, no less.

(4) If all else fails, get on the local repeater and call for help. Again, provide the information above. Until determined otherwise by an appropriate SAR or Law Enforcement agency to the contrary, this is a bonafide emergency.

REMEMBER!: That "whoop-whoop-whoop" is the electronic version of "Mayday" or "SOS"! Please DO assume that someone's life is in danger until the professional SAR or Law Enforcement agencies have determined otherwise!

(5) DO NOT try to locate the signal yourself! Leave that to the professional SAR and community rescue teams. Unfortunately, these beacons are occasionally used by narcotics and weapons smugglers to locate their loads. Your altruistic desire to help might result in harm to you! If the local sheriff or rescue team asks for your assistance, that's one thing, but the quickest way to give Amateur Radio a black eye (or get yourself hurt!) is to show up un-announced, un-invited,or un-prepared!

(6) Offer to help ONLY IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE AND have the skills to back it up! But do not be offended if you are rebuffed. Many agencies are wary of liability issues. It's not personal!

On To The Amateur Radio Stuff!

I was first licensed in 1972 as WN8OAH. I have since held callsigns WD4DEV, KA8GRY, KC8M and K4CAP. KC8M and K4CAP have since been reassigned.

I operated from Okinawa, Japan as KA6CM in 1981. I have held MARS calls NNN0VVU, AFA1OQ and AAT4SA. I was the Asst CHOP for NNN0MOQ in 1980 and was CHOP (Chief Operator) for NNN0MOC/MOF in 1981.

The present home station consists of a Yaesu FT840 for HF. For VHF/UHF I have a Yaesu FT-7800 that feeds my "Copper Cactus J-Pole" antenna that I built from plans provided by N7QVC. These radios are on 24/7 trickle charged batteries for emergency operation. I monitor local EMS/Police/Fire with an old Radio Shack "Pro-2032". I also have an "EMTECH-40" QRP transceiver kit that is a "work-in-progress".

My primary mobile consists of a Yaesu FT 7800. I carry a Yaesu/Vertex VX-150 HT. My XYL's mobile (she's W5AMY, by the way) is a Yaesu/Vertex FT-1802M.

(((Are we seeing a trend in what my favorite radio brand is.?!?!)))

By the way, when I built the "Copper Cactus J-Pole", I left it bright copper and clear-coated it that way. I actually get positive compliments from the neighbors! When was the last time an antenna of yours did that.?!?! It's a work of art!

I live in a small duplex and that's usually the death knell to any operating activities. However I am lucky to have landlords who said "If we can't see it from the street and if you don't drill holes, we don't care" when I inquired about the possibility of putting up some form of antenna farm. I've whipped up (pardon the pun) a nice little portable HF antenna installation that uses "Ham-Stick"-type whips on a small ground-mounted mast (about 5 foot) that can be raised or lowered by one person in less than a minute. The set-up was featured in the March, 2011 edition of "QST" magazine. Take a look!

And about my article.I am far-and-away from being a 'professional writer', but being published in QST was a lifetime high for me! And trust me, the article wasn't rocket science nor was it a literary masterpeice. But if I can encourage my fellow Amateurs who have ever had even the slightest glimmer of Walter Mitty bravado about writing, JUST DO IT! Take your little back yard project, solder bench creation, best (or worst!) on-the-air experience, or other Amateur Radio related experience and PUT IT ON PAPER! The folks at the League were TREMENDOUS in offering aid and suggestions, and made this one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of my life!

I am a credentialed VE under the ARRL, Western Carolina, and W5YI programs. I have been an ARRL VE almost since the beginning of that program.

My favorite Amateur operating is CW, usually on the bottom end of 80, 40, and 30, and SSB on 17 meters. I also enjoy 6 and 2 meter SSB. Additionally, I enjoy foxhunting as it enhances my skills for locating ELT's, or 'Emergency Locator Transmitters'.

And On A Personal Note:

Here I am, all dressed up and ready to fly. In addition to Amateur Radio, I also love to fly, (PPSEL and Hang Gliding) and am involved in volunteer emergency communications, both in Amateur Radio, Emergency Medical Services, and other agencies. (Photo from July 2004).  

I have been married to the former Amy McElroy of Trumann, AR since December of 1990. She is W5AMY.

I have five children, the last two with Amy. Jennifer Lynn (1976), Steven Edward (1978), Ryan Samuel (1983), Samantha Brooke (1991) and Taelor Paige (1993).

Unfortunately, Taelor Paige succumbed to birth defects only six days shy of her sixth birthday. She was, and still is, the light of my life, and the strength and love she showed in her short tenture on this planet gave me a strength to live my life anew.

Daddy loves and misses you, Taelor Paige!

Professionally, I am a Nurse. My prefered discipline is Emergency and Trauma Nursing. I am certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Basic Life Support Instructor, and Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) I am a former EMT-Paramedic. I am presently oin temporary disability due to an injury I suffered in May of 2011.

I was Honorably Discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1992. I was an Avionics Technician on the CH-53 series helos and the OV-10A and OV-10D Bronco. I attained the grade of Gunnery Sergeant. I served in all four Air Wings at one time or another, albeit my time in the Second MAW was only while undergoing TME/A-School training. During my Armed Forces career I was stationed, at one time or another, at NAS Atlanta, GA, MCAS(H) Tustin, CA, MCAS Futenma Okinawa, NAS Willow Grove, PA, MCAS Beaufort, SC and MCAS Cherry Point, NC in addition to occasional excursions to wherever it was the President of the United States decided it was he needed us at that moment!

I continue to serve my State and Country as a Master Sergeant in the Tennessee State Guard where I serve as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Communications Section of the 4th Tennessee Regiment albeit I am inactive due to the aforementioned injury.

As of July 2011, I am no longer a member of Civil Air Patrol.  Although I had been a member, off and on, since 1969, I got tired of seeing tens-of-millions of our tax dollars being 'invested' into programs that were poorly planned, irresponsibly managed, and wholly incapable of meeting even the most insignificant of operational needs.  If you're considering membership in CAP for it's "Communications Program", please reconsider.  You'll be glad you did. 

I have completed my first novel! It's a SciFi action novel inspired by the SyFy television series "Battlestar Galactica", but is a completely original story with it's own unique cast of characters in an entirely different realm.

I have also written a short story, also based on the same series, called "Ashes On The Face of the Sun" that ties the end of the "reimagined" series to "present day" Earth. You can read it (for free!) at www.fanfiction.net.

On 25 February 1999, my friend, mentor, and just coincidentally my Father, died at home. Although not a Ham himself until later in life, (KA8MPB, N8DOS) he encouraged me as I entered Amateur Radio as a teenager. A Signalman in the Navy during the Korean conflict, it was my Dad that taught me the Morse Code. He got his Novice, then General years later, in order to "follow" me around the world. He was a Korean War combat veteran (USN) and later served with the United States Army Reserve (TAR) as a recruiter in Ohio.

My father was never a rich man, but he loved this Country and he was as proud as any Veteran could be of his service. Even near the end of his life, he'd go out of his way to shake the hand of a fellow Veteran.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Sailor.I love and miss you, Dad.

Thanks for reading my "Bio" page and catch you on the air!

73

Steve Robeson, LPN