I first became interested in Radio while I was in the U.S. Army where I learned morse code in Radio School and then was sent to Radio Teletype School where I would no longer need the morse code (1964). In 1967 I left the Army and found myself too busy raising a family (3 daughters) that I didn't continue with my radio interests. In 1984 I met my Elmer, WD8KQJ, who once again rekindled my interest in Ham Radio and I became licensed as KA8UOS but being very rusty with CW, I didn't make any contacts as a Novice and later in the year I upgraded to General Class, N8FZI and started making SSB contacts only but with gradual exposure to CW I finally got proficient enough at CW to finally upgrade to Extra class and started working mostly CW and developed a love for this mode of Operation.

My rig is currently a Ten Tec Omni VII but I have run a Icom 740, and have a Icom 737 as a backup rig. I have a SB200, Linear Amplifier but rarely use it and mostly run 100w. My antennas are a 5 element Highgain TH5MK2s Triband antenna with 5 elements on 10m, and 3 on 15/20m mounted on a 70 foot tower. On the low bands I have a 80m sloper cut so I can use it on 30m also but I use this antenna on 160m, 80m, 30m, 17m, 12m, with the use of an antenna tuner. I have worked so far, 160m = 112 countries, 80m = 231 countries, 30m = 235 countries, 17m = 231 countries, 12m = 183 countries using this non resonant piece of wire and on 40m I also have a 1/4 wave sloper (resonant) that I have worked 254 countries. As you can see I am not an Electrical Engineer or even have much technical abilities and even the modest station I have is due to the help of others but I do try to be a good operator (but I do lose it sometimes in a PILE UP). I don't do much rag chewing unless it is with operators that have alot to talk about because I really don't have the gift of Gab (but the wife says I have a Big Mouth) "OH Well!!) I try to QSL to most all my DX contacts even though the return rate is about 20%, I QSL direct to all new countries, new bands, and sometimes but not always new modes and the rest go via the buro. I also upload all contacts to LOTW but also like to get a paper card for my collection of cards so I will send for a card via the buro but only once. I am pretty good at copying about 18 to 20 wpm but as you know we can all send much faster, so if you catch me on the band I will chat if you have some questions but keep the speed down I will also, if you ask,  I can get the basics at a pretty good speed but after that I start missing someHi!! So if you hear me on give me a shout I also collect stamps and do Genealogical Research (Family Tree) (mostly Canada & London Area of England) I have some German and Irish ancestors but haven't been able to trace them back yet.

RIG= TenTec OMNI VII

Amp= Heathkit SB-200

Antenna= 5 Element Tri-bander Yagi up 70 feet

80m/30m sloper used also on 160m, 17m, 12m using a tuner

40m sloper

Using this antenna system I have accomplished

DXCC HONOR ROLL #1

5BDXCC

12m, 17m, 30m, 160m DXCC

6 zones from 5BWAZ

Need: zones 23, 24, 26 on 80m, zones 24, 26 on 40m, and zone 23 on 10m.