The picture in the header above was taken behind the fire station where I work on the day I picked the bike up from the Harley dealership. I had to ride almost 100 miles with the temperature in the mid 30's (notice the snow piled up in the background). Brrrr

I received my Novice ticket (KA5DAV) in November 1978, at the age of 15. My first rig was a Heathkit HW-7 that I borrowed from my Elmer (W5EXX - now a silent key). I picked up the code quickly and still love CW after 33+ years.

I took my Novice code test by copying code being sent from a Vibroplex "bug", and I have been intrigued by the bug ever since. My sending isn't the best with the "bug" so I apologize in advance for the torture I may impose on listeners' ears. The more I use the "bug" the better I enjoy it. I have several "bugs", including a 100th Anniversary Vibroplex Original, a 1978 Vibroplex Original Deluxe that was built the same year I was first licensed, and a 2010 Vibroplex Blue Racer 2000 Standard.

My station currently consists of a Yaesu FT-2000 and an FT-990, with a Cushcraft A3S triband yagi at 45 feet, inverted vee antennas for 30, 17, and 6 meters, and an 80-M full-wave horizontal loop that I use for 80/40/12 meters. I also operate 2-meter and 440 MHz FM.

I enjoy CW ragchewing, dabbling in contests, and occasionally chasing DX. I have 245 DX countries confirmed and hold 5-band WAS, all with 100 watts or less (I've never owned an amplifier). After all these years, I still get sweaty palms when working a new DX country. You may also find me operating PSK or RTTY.

WAC Novice CW (No # issued) April 7, 1981

WAS Novice CW (#36,254) April 1, 1981

DXCC Basic (#34,472) October 10, 1995

5-Band WAS (#2,638) February 13, 1997

Triple Play WAS (#361) January 5, 2010

I am a member of FISTS, NAQCC, SKCC, the ARRL and a life member of QCWA.

QSL via direct, the bureau, and LoTW (preferred).