Vern has been an amateur operator since 1936. QRV on all bands. QRV on CW. Enjoys operating QRQ CW.

Before WWII Vern had an F.C.C. Radio Telegraph License and worked for the West Virginia State Police. On duty Vern had immediate contact with all of the other 47 states in our union. Using CW he obtained vehicle registration for the State Troopers when they stopped out of state vehicle.

He has operated from several world QTH's. Likes to use high towers and mono band antennas. Has 5 element mono @ 152'/51 meters on 20. A 2 element phased array @ 160'/53 meters on 40. A 12 element log peiodic at 35 meters. A 5 element 15 meter telrex @ 24 meters & 5 element 10 meter telrex @ 22 meters. Wire antennas include a Super Loop running North/South at 110 feet/31 meters. He also has a 160 meter Carolina Windom at the same height running East/West.

Towers include two 100 foot, one 150 foot, a 75 foot utility pole and a crank up.

Vern recently interviewed Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on his 50,000 watt FM Broadcast Station.

Lately Vern has been experimenting with quality ssb audio. He uses, a IC-7800, a german condenser microphone, the Neuman TLM 103 with a pop screen, an Omnia ToolVox voice processor, and a Orban 9200 Optimod-AM Digital audio processor This is the 'state of the art' audio processor that is used by the better and larger U.S.A. AM broadcast radio stations. Vern uses a Tascam MD-301 MK II mini disc recorder and if asked will record your transmission and play it back for you. Vern has optimized the dot weighting & CW waveform rise & fall time on his IC-7800 to facilitate his love of QRQ CW.

Here is just PART of his antenna farm as featured on the cover of CQ Magazine back in 1981:

Vern also owns, has built, and operates 50,000 watt and 25,000 watt FM broadcast stations with 500 foot towers. Operates AM broadcast stations and Translators in Indiana and Missouri. Has AM and FM stations in the St. Louis, Missouri area. With his commercial broadcast stations was the first 50,000 watt FM Radio station in the U.S.A. to operate 24/7 IBOC/HD Radio.(digital RF). (www.ibiquity.com).

His efforts as a broadcaster dedicated to serving the community are well documented.

Vern has enjoyed extensive travel:

Photo of Vern with friends in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo by UN7QF.

Noted for his relating call letters; W9FAM W 9 Father And Mother. His most recient foreign calls are UN7/W9FAM, EX/W9FAM & JY8FA.

Vern (W9FAM) with Yasser Arafat at his ‘hide-out’ in Beirut during the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). In addition to being with Yasser Arafat’s PL0/PLA Vern spent time with ALL the combatants on both sides of Beirut’s Green Line.

Here is Vern EX/W9FAM in Kyrgyzstan with one of the locals in traditional clothing.

Vern is seen here, visiting with one of his friends in Saudi Arabia.

CairoEgypt out my back window….a busy place.

Here is Vern UN7/W9FAM with a Russian Orthodox Monk in his Monestary.

This is Vern's good friend UN7QF.

Kyrgyzstan with EX ham friends. EX2A Ivan(Evo), EX/W9FAM Vern and EX8MAT Georgie

Vern on the air as UN7/W9FAM.

Vern enjoyed traveling to China with his wife.

Of course he saw the Great Wall.

And here he is in Chinese Ceremonial Garb:

The QTH is in North Central Indiana on 10 acres/4 hectors of land.

73' Vern W9FAM Frankfort, Indiana 46041