Hi there, I'm a relatively new ham -- got my ticket in mid-2010 and quickly upgraded to a 'no code' extra. Soon afterwards, me elmer introduced me to the magic of QRP, so I picked up CW anyway, which is a blast. When I travel for my job, I like to bring a portable station and get some QSOs in from hilltops.
I was born in Chicago in 1973, and have been here my whole life. By day, I'm a software engineer (and manager) at Google Chicago. I also play a lot of bluegrass banjo, jazz piano, write musicals, do semi-professional photography, write computer games, and collect a bunch of other hobbies. See my website for more details, or my blog to hear about my latest ham radio adventures.
My portable QRP station: an Elecraft KX3 -- usually powered by AA batteries. I either sling a PAR Endfed 40m/20m dipole into a tree, or carry a Buddistick to clamp to a picnic table. Overall, my goal is to carry as little as possible onto the airplane! For longer field expeditions, I'll use an A123 nanophosphate battery and a full-size Buddipole.
My home station: the same KX3 attached to a 100W amplifier. The rig runs into a homemade, mostly-horizonal delta loop at about 25 feet. It runs across my tiny backyard from my roof to two trees. I'm in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood -- right in the heart of the city. Lots of QRM here, but I'm finally close to getting my WAS.
I'm always happy to QSL either by direct mailing of cards (no need to send a SASE), or by LotW.
I'm a member of the Chicago FM Club as well, which has a repeater network covering the whole Chicago area.
