Greetings!

I’ve only had a few calls since first being licensed in 1958; KN8MNB (which changed to K8MNB after getting my General class license shortly thereafter), W9HPL and finally N3JV. I hold an “original” Amateur Extra Class license, obtained when the code requirements were 20 WPM. My equipment consists of an Icom IC-756ProII and a Kenwood TS-570S along with a Force-12 Flagpole Vertical antenna and an Icom IC-703+ for QRP operation.

I was first licensed in WV when I was a freshman in high school. After graduating, I went to Chicago, IL to attend DeVry Technical Institute and later completed my BS and MBA degrees at night while working full time for Western Electric/AT&T Network Systems/Lucent Technologies for 38 ½ years in various capacities, ending my career as a Senior Engineer (Member of the Technical Staff) in a transmissions systems technical support group. I retired in July of 2001 and moved to The Villages, FL, where I enjoy Ham Radio, golf, table tennis and various other activities. I’m a Past Master of Palatine Lodge #314 AF&AM, in Palatine, IL (1984) and a member of The Villages Lodge #394.

I operate almost exclusively CW, mostly on 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters; I also operate PSK-31, mainly on 20M. I enjoy QRP, rag chewing, trying to work special event stations and occasionally chasing lighthouses. I’m a member of ARRL, ARLHS (Amateur Radio Light House Society), FISTS (a “club” dedicated to the preservation of morse code), Flying Pigs QRP Club and I'm an ARRL accredited Volunteer Examiner.

Good luck; hope to see you around the bands!

73, Jim (N3JV)

ARLHS #720 / FISTS #9365, CC #1374 / FP #729