First licensed in 1960 as KN3NGF. I then became K3NGF. I held that call until 1974 when I moved to Rockford, IL. and was issued W9NKQ. Returning home to Williamsport, PA. in 1976 I received W3ILG which I held for 32 years until Nov. 7, 2008 when I got my vanity call W3FJ. I am married to K3AMM who was origanially licensed as WN9WTF in Illinois and upgraded to WB9WTF shortly thereafter. When we returned to Pennsylvania, Althea was issued WB3FUR which she held until requesting her present call.

We have two grown son's and they are KT3G who lives in Indian Trail, NC and W3ILG (my former call) who lives in Bethesda, MD.

As of March 2009 my equipmentI operate from my home QTH consists of an Icom IC-756PROIII, an Alpha 78 Amplifier for HF and a Raytrack Horizon VI for 6 Meters (2x3-500Z's), Palstar AT-Autotuner. My antennas are supported by a mortorizedTri-Ex LM-470 crank-up tower with the following antennas. At71' is a Force 12 420/240 which has 4 elements on 20 Meters and 2 elements on 40 Meters on a 30' boom. About 9' above that is my M2 6M2WLC 6 Meter beam which has 9 elements on a 39 1/2' boom. At the top of the mast is another Force 12 antenna the 4BA which has 3 elements on 10 Meters, 3 elements on 12 Meters, 3 elements on 15 Meters and 3 elements on 17 Meters all on a 24' boom. All of these antennas are rotated by an M2 RC2800PX rotor. I also have a Hy-Gain Hy-Tower for 75/80 Meters and will soon be adding 160 capabilities to this antenna and several additional radials.

I also enjoy operating mobile and currently use an Icom IC-706MKIIG and a Tarheel Screwdriver antenna.

I worked for the aircraft engine manufacturing company "Lycoming" since coming out of the Navy in 1963 except for the time in Rockford, IL. Working for Lycoming allowed me to travel extensively worldwide from 1966 until my retirement in July of 2003. As of July 16th, 2003 I retired from "Lycoming Engines" and am now writing article's for General Aviation News and doing some consulting work in addition to conducting maintenance seminars on Lycoming engines. I traveled to over 65 countries and many of which I visited several times. I've had the good fortune to meet many people I've worked on the air and made many other new ham friends via eyeball QSO's. One of my best visits was with Jacky, 3B8CF and the other was a visit to BY1PK about a year after they came on the air. I also held the call VK2FBW for many years and several ZL0 calls over the years.

I'm proud to be a life member of the ARRL and the QCWA. I enjoy chasing DX and have been active on 6 Meters since first becoming licensed and hold SMIRK Number 607. I am extremely proud to have been appointed as the Secretary of SMIRK (Six Meter International Radio Klub) in March 2011. This premier 6 Meter group has been very active supporting 6 Meters worldwide since 1973 and has nearly 7000 members worldwide and continues to grow. Please check out http://www.smirk.org/ for further information. I presently hold 6 Meter WAS, WAC and DXCC.

For me, ham radio just keeps getting betterI hope it does for you too!

I am now using LOTW and usually download about once a month.

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