Hello to all visitors!

I have been interested in radio since high school. My high school, Maine Township High School East, in Park Ridge, IL, operated a 10 watt radio station, WMTH, The Voice of Maine Township. I was involved with the radio station from 1973 to 1977 as a newscaster and the station general manager. In 1973 I received my Third Class Radiotelephone License. In 1974 I earned my First Class Radiotelephone License with Radar Endorsement. Unfortunately, I let that license lapse a long time ago, and now wish I hadn't.

I didn't do anything with radio for a long time after graduating high school. I returned to radio as a monitor around 1986. At the time, I was interested in learning to fly and picked up a Radio Shack PRO 2004 to listen to aircraft. I never did learn to fly, but I got hooked on radio again.

Between 1986 and 1999, I owned many different scanners and general coverage receivers. My radio monitoring interests varied widely during this time. I listened to everything from aircraft to cellular (OK, lock me up - it was interesting) to various digital modes. I got hooked on digital modes very early during this period and have always been fascinated with trying to decode everything possible.

I earned my Technician ticket as KG4FJH in 1999. That was when I got hooked on ham radio. My good friend, and Elmer, Barrett (KE4R) prodded me for several years prior to 1999 to get my license. I finally got around to studying and got my license and have been on the air ever since.

Several years later, I upgraded to General (when there was still a code requirement - that was painful). I was a general for about 8 years, until I finally decided I wanted to play in the entire allowable bandwidth. I then studied for and earned my Amateur Extra ticket. As an aside, I used the HamTestOnline website (http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/) to study for my Amateur Extra exam. It is a VERY effective tool and well worth the money. About a year after upgrading to Amateur Extra, I got the vanity callsign AG4F.

I now spend most of my time on 17 and 20 meters chasing DX. I recently got the bug to get my DXCC award and am now working towards getting my first 100 countries. I am also occasionally on the local 2 meter repeater, 145.210 in Fayetteville, GA.

I very recently got interested in 6 meters and just got my first 6 meter antenna, the M2 6 meter HO Loop. I have used that mobile, mounted to my pickup truck. I haven't used it as a base antenna yet. I also very recently caught the mobile operating bug and picked up a used High Sierra HS-1800/PRO. With the help of Alan, K0BG, I learned about setting up and operating mobile. I have been operating HF mobile for under a month, but I absolutely love it. By the way, Alan's website, www.k0bg.com is a FANTASTIC source of information for all things mobile. If you're thinking about operating HF mobile, I strongly recommend reading everyting on his site. It will save you lots of time and headaches.

I am also fascinated with the new breed of SDR radios (transceiver and receiver). I currently own 2 SDR receivers, Perseus and NetSDR. I also had a QS1R, but recently sold it (just how many radios can one person listen to at one time!) SDR receivers are absolutely amazing! The best software I've used to date for this technology is Simon Brown's (HB9DRV) SDR-Radio Console (http://sdr-radio.com/). Simon also wrote Ham Radio Deluxe. Both are very well done software programs.

Finally, I also recently got the bug to get my WAS award. I have one state left (UT) to work and several states I need QSL cards for before I can earn that award.

I hope to work you soon! I do QSL using eQSL, LOTW and good old fashioned cards.

My current home station consists of: Icom IC-7800, Acom 2000a amp, Palstar AT-AUTO tuner, LP-100A wattmeter, microHAM Digi Keyer for digital operation, Perseus (SDR receiver), RFSpace NetSDR (SDR receiver), AOR AR5000A+3 wideband receiver, W2IHY EQPlus (my audio is OUTSTANDING :-), Kenwood TH-D72a HT, Icom IC-R20 handheld receiver, Uniden BCD396T handheld trunktracking scanner, Uniden BCD996T trunktracking scanner, a homebrew SuperLoop antenna mounted at about 65 feet, and the IMD Meter for PSK work. This sure is an EXPENSIVE hobby! :-)

I am a supporter of the DX Code of Conduct:

I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.

I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.

I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling.

I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.

I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.

I will always send my full call sign.

I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.

I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.

I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.

I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.

When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.

I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.

I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.

73 - David, AG4F