Welcome!
My first "real" radio was a Hallicrafters S-120 that was purchased in 1966 from Allied Radio in Chicago. With that, I became an SWL with the Popular Electronics Magazine call: WPE9IQX. I enjoyed listening to short wave stations, sending reception reports and receiving QSL cards. But, I wanted to get on the air! I was first licensed in 1968 as WA9ZYG with a Technician License, a Heathkit Twoer and an 11-element Cush Craft beam. Soon thereafter, I upgraded to Advanced class and added a Heathkit HW-100 to the station. The HF antenna was an inverted V with a Drake MN-4 Tuner. Later, I replaced the HW-100 with a Kenwood TS-830S along with an HQ-1 mini-quad and a vertical. Eventually, a Commodore 64 computer system was added along with a PAKRATT 232 for the digital modes. The station didn't change much until 2005 when I finally upgraded to Extra as KF9SQ. Later, my family and I moved to Amelia Island. Florida (NA-138) and I changed my call to KQ4Y. The primary rig today is an Icom 706MKIIG which replaces a desk full of equipment in one small package. The antennas include an MFJ-1786 mag loop and a 40 - 6 OCF dipole. Despite the modest station, I still have a lot of fun with CW, SSB, FM and a number of digital modes including PSK, RTTY, FT8 and Feld Hell. I QSL 100% via Logbook of the World and eQSL. I will honor any request for a "regular" QSL card via GlobalQSL (internationally) or USPS within the U.S. You may view my online logbook at QRZ.com. |