Effective September 2010, no QSL's coming thru the Bureau will be answered! LOTW is uploaded frequently and SASE (USA) or SAE + IRC/$1 works fine for DX for a real QSL card.

PROUD MEMBER OF THE ARIZONA OUTLAWS CONTEST CLUB (N7AT) www.arizonaoutlaws.net

SEE QSL POLICY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS LISTING!

FIFTY-FOUR (54) YEARS IN HAM RADIO AS OF AUGUST 22, 2011.

I was first licensed in August 1957 at age 11, K8HLR. Extra Class in 1964. K8IA call in 1976. Lived in the Detroit, MI area until Sept 2002, when I moved to AZ. I am located on a quiet acre near the Superstition Mts, home to the legendary Lost Dutchman Goldmine.

Retired since 2008. Microwave Communication systems QA Consultant (Registered PE in MI and AZ), Gun Owner/NRA member and long time Harley biker ( I own a 1987 FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic and a 2007 FLHX Street Glide).

I contested actively (1957-1985 as K8HLR and K8IA) and enjoyed it! Since 2002 I am back in contesting and loving it once again. I have received numerous contest accomplishments on a national and international level throughout all my contest years.

Served two terms, in the 70s, on the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee. Also, I was one of the original five founding members of the Mad River Radio Club, approx 1972. Fun times!

For seven years (mid 2003-mid 2009), I was the Contest Coordinator for the Central Arizona DX Assn and formerly on its Board of Directors as well. In 2005 I was fortunate to be awarded the prestigious CADXA "DXer of the Year" award.

I am the founding President ofthe Arizona Outlaws Contest Club, a statewide contest effort that already has assembled the best contesters in the state. AOCC is fullly operational, very active and ARRL Affiliated. The AOCC Board of Directors consists of AB7E, K7WP, K8IA, KC7V, N7RQ and W7ZR.

See the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club website for infoon how to join. http://www.arizonaoutlaws.net/welcome.html

I am also a member of the new CwOps Club, member # 666. "El Diablo."

Antenna system is simple but effective. Trylon T500-72 tower, 3 el SteppIR and M-Squared 40M3L 3el 40m yagi; 80m slopers, Inv Vees, Inverted L's, Delta Loops; Shunt Fed Tower (160), K9AY Receive Loops, BOG's. Also, Bencher Skyhawk, fixed east, up 45 ft and a 5 el 15m yagi fixed JA at 61 ft. Nice little system to contest with!

The station is designed only for Contesting, in a very simple Multi-Two configuration. In every-day use it is two separate stations, about 8 ft apart, shared with my xyl Sandy N7RQ. During multiop contesting, both stations are networked and simultaneusly operational.

Station Number One (K8IA stn) is a Elecraft K3/100 and Alpha 8410 amp.

Station Number Two (N7RQ stn) is a Orion II with RX366 subreceiver option, driving an Acom 1000 amp.

Both Main and Second stations are tied together with a Array Solutions Six pack, allowing any antenna to be instantly routed to any radio. Dunestar 600 bandpass filters are used at both stations and automatically selected per band.

I am also Trustee for N7AT, the club station for the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club. Regular ops at N7AT include, N7RQ,  KC7V,  KS5A,  NA2U, K1YR, KR2E, K7JQ and K8IA.

In addition, I am the techncal advisor for The Butt Nekked Contest Club,N7AP. You can also hear N7RQ and myself using the callsign N7A in various Special Events.

My main non-contesting activity is chasing DX on 160. Presently, (Oct 2011) I have 173 countries and 36 WAZ zones confirmed on TopBand.

My overall DXCC score is 353/335/334, low end of the Honor Roll. Other than 160, I do not seriously DX anymore, perferring the excitement of Contesting over the rather mundane simplistic activity modern DXing has become.

I would enjoy hearing from all my old Contest/Dx friends!

BULLETIN: Dateline July 5, 2007 Sandy N7RQ and I were married on our new 2007 Harley Street Glide in Oatman, AZ. Outlaw Willie, aka Rev Rod Hall officiated and several of our contester friends were present, some rode, some drove. After the ceremony, a dozen wild burros came down from the hills to join us! Being contesters, we handled the pileup with ease. ;-)

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QSL POLICY FOR 2011: (103,000+ QSO's in 2003 thru 2010)

LOTW updated regularly but "hard copy" cards sent out if you wish, using below guidelines.

1. Due to the high influx of USA QSL cards, most lacking the courtesy of a SASE, it is now necessary for USA stations to enclose an SASE with their QSL request. Tnx.

2. Any foreign station wishing a rapid QSL reply, pse enclose SAE and IRC or green stamp. These requests will be answered within two days of receipt, guaranteed.

3. EffectiveSeptember 2010, no QSL's coming thru the Bureau will be answered! If you really need a card see 1 & 2 above

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73,Bob K8IA

nr Apache Junction, Arizona USA - Home of the Superstition Mtns and the Lost Dutchman Goldmine!