UPCOMING OPERATIONS

I am still backlogged on QSL cards, LoTW and eQSL. The K6B cards arrived and I have started sending out QSL cards for both events (NCCC 40th and CQP 2010). Please be patient, as I will answer all cards I have received. Also received many DX cards via the bureau, those will be answered in due time. Thanks for the QSOs and confirmations via QSL cards, LoTW and eQSL!

Due to my job and other responsibilities, as well as a lack of time I have logged very little contesting over the summer. I missed most of of the NAQPs and state QSO parties. Right now I am hoping to put in a good showing for the CQP, sponsored by the NCCC. I have good intentions to work both legs of the ARRL Sweepstakes, XYL permitting. Between those two contests I might be able to log a few hours here and there in some of the other contests I enjoy like the NCJ RTTY Sprint, the CQ WW DX SSB, JARTS WW RTTY, and the Makrothen RTTY Contest. Logs have been uploaded to LoTW and am working on the eQSLs.

PREVIOUS OPERATIONS

09-18-2010 to 10-03-2010: K6B - 40th Anniversary of the Northern California Contest Club

10-02-2010 to 10-03-2010: K6B - California QSO Party

STATION

Hardware: Yaesu FT-1000MP, Yaesu FT-857D (w/ ATAS-120A), Alpha 76PA linear amplifier, Heathkit Sb220, Bird 43 Wattmeter, Astron RM-35, Astron RS-20A, US Interface Navigator, Vibroplex Square Racer.

Antennas: Alpha-Delta DX-EE (10M-40M), SteppIR BigIR w/ 80M coil, DXE 5 band Hex Beam (10M/12M/15M/17M/20M) at 30'. I also acquired a Force 12 EF-706 and a Force 12 C4XL, both new in the box from KE6WPK.

QSL POLICY

I do QSL 100%, but am quite behind in sending cards out. Any card received is answered immediately. You do not need to include green stamps, IRCs or an SASE. I am of the opinion the QSL is "the final courtesy." I upload my log to Logbook of the World on a daily basis, as well as eQSL after a QSO was made. You can also check if you are confirmed in my logbook courtesy of HRDlog.net.

BACKGROUND

I was inspired by my father, N6SV, (previously W6ONV) Glen Rattmann, K6NA and Jim Rafferty, N6RJ (SK). During the 70s and 80s they would call 'CQ' from my father's ham shack (QTH - Poway, CA) late into the night and early hours of the morning. Being a youngster I really had no idea what all those switches and knobs did. Looking back on their hobby, I wish would have taken a more vested interest.

As I got older my father slowly got out of the hobby, although he is still licensed as N6SV, he has not called 'CQ' in years. I passed Element 2 in 1995 while living in Arlington, Texas, the FCC licensed me KC5NWR. While I did not have any radio to use my license sat idle until 2003, when I received my father's Kenwood TR-7600 2m transceiver complete with the DC power supply and the RM-76 control unit.

When I moved to Oakley, CA [CM98da] I joined the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club, I also bought a Kenwood Th-F6A HT and began listening in on the W6CX repeater on Mt. Diablo. I regularly attended meetings for a few years trying to find a niche I could get involved in.

When my license came up for renewal in 2005, I decided to look for my father's old call sign, W6ONV. I was surprised when I found it was not assigned and applied for the vanity call sign. I was granted the new call sign in April, 2005.

After passing Element 3 in 2007 (the day Element 1 was dropped from FCC requirements) I bought a Hustler 6-BTV and erected it my backyard (50'x100' lot). I also bought an ICOM IC-718. The vertical was ground mounted with 46 radials of varying length on a radial plate and a tile-base from DX Engineering.

I passed the Element 4 exam in June 2008 as was awarded my Amateur Extra license. I knew the FCC had removed the Element 1 requirement, but I was surprised to find out it was not even offered at my testing session at MDARC (I was prepared to take it). I continued my practicing and learned Morse code, after becoming Amateur Extra.

In February, 2009 I upgraded my rig and bought a used Yaesu FT-1000MP (from Ken, N6RO, full loaded). A month later after talking with my father I found out he still had his two linear amplifiers, a Heathkit SB-220 and a Alpha 76PA. After shipping the Alpha to N4UQ to be upgraded and repaired it has since been added to the station.

In lieu of the code exam, I downloaded the ARRL/VEC paperwork and was accredited as an ARRL VE in June, hopefully I can start helping my local club administer exams to current and potential hams.

CONTESTING

Near the end of 2008 I participated in my first contest, the Czech Radio Club sponsored OK DX RTTY Contest. While my attempt was not in a serious contesting vein, I enjoyed the time I worked. I was chasing the WAS and thought this was a great opportunity to add to the outstanding states I had not worked. A month later I participated in the 2008 RAC Winter Contest from home and the local "big gun" station, N6RO or "Radio Oakley."

It was during this contest I wanted to get more actively involved in contesting, both on the individual side and club side. I joined the Northern California Contest Club prior to the ARRL RTTY Roundup, participating in practice sessions leading up the event at N6RO. While my operating time is limited duuring contests because of my schedule I do set personal goals for each contest I participate in and work to improve each year.

Currently RTTY is my preferred mode of operation, but I can usually find a few hours to put into most all major contests sponsored by CQ Magazine, NCJ and the ARRL. I also enjoy operating in state sponsored QSO parties as well as Sweepstakes.

OPERATING

When not operating in a contest, I will chase DX and those DXpeditions that take place on a seemingly regular basis. I enjoy operating RTTY as my main mode, but work CW and SSB. Much of my early HF involvement was on digital modes including PSK31, Feld Hell and Olivia. I am currently working on my ARRL Triple Play Award (149 confirmed), the 5BWAS, initial DXCC (99 confirmed, 135 worked) and WAZ awards.

I recently decided to try to operate HF mobile. I have swapped out my Yaesu FT-7800R for a Yaesu FT-857D and installed an ATAS-120A (HF+50M) antenna. Currently I am working on my bonding by adding ground straps through the body of a 2007 Ford Ranger.

PERSONAL

I maintain my personal web site dedicated to amateur radio and a few other hobbies I participate in called, The 6th Floor. When I am involved in a contest you can watch and listen live at w6onv.camstreams.com.

I am currently employed by Bay Area Rapid Transit District as a Train Controller, working out of the Operations Control Center in downtown Oakland, California. Previous to that I spent 11 years with United Airlines, unfortunately the airlines continued to struggle and the future was not looking good, so I made the move to BART in 2006.

Currently I call Oakley, CA my QTH and have been married for 6 years, but she hates it when I refer to her as the "XYL" (name is Christal). We do have a young ham, very young named Zachary (I call him "Zoom"). I am still trying to teach him Morse Code, but he is able to call "CQ Whiskey Six Oscar Normway Victor" on SSB. At 5 years old, he knows the letters 'D', 'E' and 'T'. He also loves to run around saying "CQ" and "DX" into any mic he can get a hold of.

When I am not on air, I spend time raising my son, playing Xbox 360, restoring a 1968 Mercury Cougar watching as much footie (soccer to Americans) from Italy and England, while playing goalkeeper on an outdoor soccer team locally. With any luck I should have the Cougar completed by the time my son learns to drive.