N3OS was first bitten by the "ham bug" in the late 50's as a teenager and I built my first receiver in 1961. It wasn't until August of 1977 (military service, marriage, kids, etc. took priority) that I took a license exam. Then the wait until September for my Novice license to arrive: WB3JRW, and the first contact was with WA3QHU. I sure wish I had kept the paperwork from that first QSO, hi hi. Bet we couldn't make much sense from what was scribbled by my nervous hand.  I still recall the terror!!

In February of '78 the first upgrading was completed at the FCC Field Office in Washington, DC with the Advanced Class being attained. Callsign changes began in 2000 when my initials were available so W3GDM became the call. In 2008 my desire changed to having a nice 1X2. "Small is good." Sticking with my original region, the Third Call Area, N3OS was chosen and applied for. There were a number of others who had this callsign on their application at the same time but they received others they ranked higher so N3OS was left for me as I moved up the line. Note: it was the only callsign on my application! I feel very lucky.

My interests within the amateur radio service have always included emergency operations & traffic handling. Once the EC for Prince George's County, Maryland as well as the DEC for the National Capitol District, I was an active traffic handler for many years. I am fairly active in MARS and I also like to fiddle with antennas - especially ones that don't work, hi hi. I've made a few over the years! Others have laughed at some of my stuff, but when you live with restrictions you play around a bit trying to find what might work and what you might be able to get away with. My loop runs around the perimeter of the house for about 282 feet more or less. I can report is works - - - sometimes.

I have a renewed interest in CW and I'm alsonow inthe ranks of those using the digital modes. I had been told that variety is the spice of life so I try different things from time to time. And, a day at a good hamfest is another great way to spend some time. I am looking forward to attending the Dayton Hamvention every year from now on! I look forward to seeing many of my old friends from up in Maryland each May at the big toy store in central Ohio, hi hi.

The N3OS station is comprised of a Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V Field, Kenwood TS-570D, Silver Eagle Lollipop, Heil Gold Line, Heil ProSet Plus, Heil BM-10, as well as stock microphones, Bencher Mercury Paddles, Vibroplex Deluxe Original and Standard bugs, J-37 & Nye Viking Straight Keys, Ameritron AL-82 and Dentron DTR-1200L Linear Amps, Palstar AT-AUTO, MFJ-989C Tuner, MFJ-941C Tuner, Alpha-Delta DX-CC, 6BTV Vertical, Eagle One, an 80m dipole, and the Cushcraft MA5B Yagi on a small tower. The mobile rig is the Yaesu FT-857D with the great Little Tarheel II antenna.There's a TM-D700A running APRS also.

For a vocation I hold a PI License and Security Manager License here in Florida, but I am not using them at the moment. I retired a few years ago and actually now plan to stay retired thereby able do what I want to do, and what the XYL tells me to do, hi.

If you have the urge to "give back" to your neighbors, community, county, state and your country please consider joining MARS. We'd love to have you join us. Some may say that it doesn't matter which service you select, Army, Air Force or Navy-Marine Corps MARS. Well, I will be glad to provide you with some details which may assist you in your decision-making process. I recently transferred from one branch to another and I will be happy to share info with you.

73 de N3OS

PS. MANY ARE SENDING ME EMAILS ASKING ABOUT 4V1. YES, I AM THE QSL MANAGER FOR 4V1, THE SPECIAL CALLSIGN FOR THE RADIO CLUB D'HAITI'S REMEMBERANCE OF THOSE WHO PERISHED DURING AND AFTER THE QUAKE OF 12 JAN 2010. SEND YOUR QSL WITH SASE.  I HAVE THE LOGS SENT UP FROM HAITI AND CARDS ARE BEING MAILED OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.   73 - GARY