Amateur Radio Background

I first became licensed as WN5VMZ in 1976 at the age of 15. A few months later I was issued WB5VMZ when the FCC discontinued the practice of using "WN" prefixes to denote Novice class licensees. About four years later I was issued callsign KE5V when I upgraded to Extra class. In 1996 I changed my callsign to W5FGD which was previously held by my "elmer" - JB Hopkins of Houston, Texas - who became a silent key in 1985. My current callsign was issued on 3-7-09.

Home Station Equipment

My primary HF station consists of a Kenwood TS-480HX and a Kenwood TL-922A. However, I often use anything from my collection of old Kenwood hybrids or early vintage solid state equipment. My antenna for 75 and 40 meters is an off-centerfed inverted vee. On 20, 15 and 10 meters I use a rotatable triband dipole which is 50' high. I also enjoy APRS operation and provide a local area uplink connection to the APRS Tier II network from my home QTH most of the time.

Mobile Station Equipment

The mobile HF setup consists of a Kenwood TS-50s and separate Hamstick mobile antennas for each band.

Occupation

I have been a career firefighter since 1981. For 24 years I served in the ranks of the Jonesboro, Arkansas Fire Department.Then in 2005 I retired as Fire Chief from JFD and relocated to Ponca City, Oklahoma to become Fire Chief of the Ponca City Fire Department where I am currently employed.

Academics

Alumni - Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Go Red Wolves.!!!

• BSE Social Science
• Masters of Public Adminstration

73's. Butch