This is how I got interested
in Shortwave and Amateur (Ham) Radio. We were living on a Farm North East of Billings, Montana and at an early age my father
gave me my first Crystal Radio set. It was in the form of a large Writing Pen and it had a wire antenna coming out of the
top of the Pen Radio. At that time (mid 1940’s) there was only one local radio station, which was KGHL. Also some time
later we had a shortwave radio as that what one did was listen to the evening radio programs. And I was found of many radio
programs like Amos’N Andy, Burns and Allan shows. But what caught my interest was the international shortwave broadcast.
Later years I built all types of outside antennas for the shortwave radio and would scramble around the rooftops putting these
antennas up. When I was in grade school I purchased an Allied Knight-Kit Star Roamer Shortwave Receiver. My father did help
me with some of kit building, and we enjoyed that time together working on my first kit project.
My cousin (Ted Welch W7LND) who
was a Ham Radio Operator was an influence on me to some extent. But as his Electronic career took him away from home most
of the time. But he always promised me when and if I received my Ham license he would provide a Ham Radio for me to have and
use. He did lend me a Heath-kit Transceiver Radio and Vertical Antenna. This was many years before I really got the bug to
be a Ham.
**Now back in the early 60`s
I attended an Electronic School (National Electronics Institute) in Denver Co. for approximately 11 months. Then after many
years of working in the community I decided to continued my education so I attended Industrial Electronics’ at University
of Montana ~ Helena College Of Technology, Helena Montana. Note I attended for a two-year term. After graduating I worked
for several years in the Automotive Electronic Repair Servicing area.
During that time of working my
health started to deteriorate, which caused me retire. Now I have some time to spend on Hobbies and Fishing, which I try to
enjoy to the fullest. But in 2008 I never got out to do any Fishing and I will try very hard in 2009 do at least get out once
or twice to Fish.
At present I take care of my
very ill 94-year-old Mother who requires most of my time. Note when I do make some time for my hobbies I try to enjoy every
moment because that time is very important to me. I am active in Church and have in the past been volunteering my time there
doing different types of tasks and duties.
Note some of my other hobbies
are: Reading, Building Projects, Computing and online Gaming. 10 years As a Navy-Marine MARS Member.
Note I had been an avid Gardener
but I had to quit doing it because of my health problems. Note the last two years I have had a very small garden with Tomatoes
plants, as we love fresh Tomatoes. But in 2009 I will not be able to do anymore gardening.
I really enjoy Ragchewing, DXing,
& QSLing. Awards: Worked All States, & I am still working for DXCC.
And as of February 2009 I will
be starting my 28th year in Amateur Radio.
Favorite Band/Modes: 40M, 20M,
17M, 15M, 12M, 10M (Note not in this order), SSB & FM, and 2M FM / 440Mhz. FM and 2 Meter SSB.
Equipment: Kenwood TS-2000,TS-570SG,
& (TS-430S Note in the summer of 2007 I had a repair tech do a complete realignment and repair job done on the TS-430S,
as there was a problem in the RF deck regarding connecter blocks, which went bad, and I could not remedy that problem myself.
And now it’s back in top-notch condition). Heath-Kit SB-200 Amplifier, which is the second SB-200, I have owned. (My
Yahoo Heath-Kit Amplifier Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeathKit_HFAmps)
HF Antenna’s: A Homebrew
G5RV sloper @ 45ft. to 20ft., then a Butternut Vertical, 17 M Dipole, & Ten Meter 5/8 Vertical.
VHF/UHF Equipment: Now in the
mobile is the Kenwood TMV71A, which I bought last year 2007. (My Yahoo Kenwood_TMV-71A Dual Band Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kenwood_TMV-71A).
And the rest is of my equipment:
Kenwood TM-255A Multimode 2Meter Rig, 2 Kenwood TM-V7 dual band mobiles one in the shack set on 440 Mhz. Also have the following
handhelds: Yaesu FT-530 & a FT-470 dual band handhelds, and an old broken Icon 2AT which works fine after repairing the
handheld myself. VHF/UHF Antenna’s: A Two Meter 11 Element Beam @ 45ft. Homebrew 440Mhz. Fiber Glass Quad @ 35ft., an
Cushcraft AR6 6 Meter Vertical. Also for the VHF station I have a Two-Meter Mirage
B2516G Amplifier.
Life Time Ragchewer Member. (Loves
to Communicate)
I try to enjoy life and all my
hobbies but Ham Radio gives the most fun next to Fly Fishing. Hope to catch you on HF and enjoy a QSO. Best 73 and May God
Bless.
