I was first licensed as a novice in 1968 as WN2HKR. I upgraded to general class in high school and my call became WB2HKR. I upgraded to extra class in 1993 and in 1997 obtained my current call sign of W2VS.

My first rig was a Heathkit DX-60B transmitter and a Heathkit HR-10A receiver. My Dad, a retired professional engineer, put both pieces of equipment together while I eagerly observed the process. I could not wait for him to get done! I was "rock bound" with only a few crystals for 40 meters and 15 meters but I still worked the world on those two bands.

My first transceiver was the Yaesu Tempo One . It was a beautiful transceiver for its era. I had to sell it to pay for my last semester of college in 1977 but I enoyed it immensely.

My current rig is a Yaesu FT-1000MP which I have had for about 10 years. It is a great radio and I enjoy CW and some SSB phone, mainly on 40 and 80 meters. I also have an Icom IC-718, a radio that I would highly recommend as a backup or entry level radio.

I have a pretty simple station. I have a dipole antenna up about 40 feet. I also have a rigblaster and do some digital work.

My wife, Cathy, is KC2AEB (technician) and my son Dave is KC2FFV (general). Dave passed the general class license exam when there was still the 13 WPM code reqirement and is a CW operator with a lot of potential. My brother Greg is N2QIE (technician) and is probably the most technically oriented of all of us.

Amateur radio is a great hobby that I have enjoyed for years and hope to enjoy for many more years.