The picture QSL card that is posted here at QRZ.com In the upper right corner was taken by me at Devils Lake State Park near Baraboo Wisconsin. Thanks to Wayne W4MPY.

I first received my Novice license, WN9YSD, in May 1968 when I was 15 years old and living in Green Bay, Wisc. Then received WA9YSD a year later. I passed my Extra in 2006 just before they changed the code requirment. I was one of the last ones with 20 WPM certification. It was a matter of pride in getting the 20 WPM certification. The person who corrected the test said it was the first time he saw any one work out the calculations manually, on paper. I guess this was the results of the Old School Training.

I was handling traffic when I was 17 years old operating with a straight key at 25 WPM on the CW nets like 9RN (9th Region Net), CAN (Central Area Net), WIN (Wisconsin Interstate Net), and Navy MARS nets.I am the original founder of Late WIN. Lots of traffic messages sure passed my desk in those days in 1970-1976.My Navy MARS callsign was N0RPJ, changed to NNN0RPJ.

In 1972 I received a SECOND PLACE in the Wisconsin QSO Party, and in 1970 and 1971 I finished in Third Place. I had been the chairman of the Wisconsin QSO Party for a couple of years. During that time I was able to implement the award structure, basically, as it is today. I have not been a member of the club or on the QSO Party committee ever since.

Around 1984 I met N9AU and he inspired me into becoming a DXer, and I have been chasing DX ever since. I finally retired WA9YSD after 38 years, and received K9TF on Feb. 7, 2006. I am the founder of the "Kite Fliers Radio Club" and trustee of the club license WA9YSD.

My antennas are the10,15 and 20M rotatable dipole with capacity hats designed and built by DAP, N9AU. The wire antennas are Double Bazookas made by Radio WAVZ for 17,12M and 3KW VFTD for 160 - 10M.

Here is a picture of My Elmer who helped me through many good times, and hard times. My Dad, may he Rest In Piece.

DAP rotatable dipole 20, 15, 10M on top. On the left hanging from the tower side mount is the Radio WAVZ 3KW VFTD 160-10M. On the right hanging on the Phillystran guy cable are the Radio WAVZ Double Bazookas for 17, 12M.