New callsign effective 11/19/11 - KI1U

Originally from central Indiana now residing in Bristol, CT. I am the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the ARRL and author (along with Victor Morris, AH6WX) of the ARRL book Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio. Outside of Amateur Radio I enjoy fishing, traveling, reading, all things Celtic, photography, hockey, and baseball. I am also a Red Cross volunteer on our local Disaster Action Team.

I come from a "ham family"; Mom N9NKN, Dad ex-WN9PEY, Grandfather K9MXG (SK), Grandmother ex-KN9FVJ and N9NKM, Uncle K9MXE. With the help of my grandfather and the 807 Club I passed my novice exam in 1988 and was licensed as KB9BTG.

I enjoy operating QRP, portable, contests, SKYWARN/ARES, and chasing dx. Currently I am working on VUCC on 6/2/SAT, Triple Play, and of course adding on to DXCC totals. I am also a QSL card checker for the ARRL's DXCC, WAS, and VUCC awards. I have recently gotten into satellite operation. I use a Yaesu VX-6 and an Arrow 144/436 yagi antenna to work AO-27 and SO-50. It's amazing the DXing you can do with an HT! You will catch me on the birds most of the time from my home grid, but I also take satellite gear with me on my travels.

Most of my activity is from the ARRL HQ Operators Club Station W1HQ or while traveling. I am also active on HF mobile using a Yaesu FT-857D and a variety of ham-stick type antennas. Favorite modes are CW and RTTY but I'm also active on phone and a variety of digital modes.

Member of the following; ARRL Life Member,Radio Club of America, the Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operator's Club W1HQ (currently Vice-President), University of Mississippi ARC W5UMS (former president and vice-president), Oxford/Lafayette County ARES and former Emergency Coordinator for Lafayette County, Indiana University ARC K9IU (Alumni member and former president), Yankee Clipper Contest Club, 10-10 International #60241, SKCC# 2679, Kokomo Amataeur Radio Club, W9GO, and the 807 Club of Kokomo Indiana.

Operating achievements; DXCC (Mixed [303], Phone [273], CW [258], RTTY [136], and Challenge [1295]), WAC (Phone, CW, RTTY, 160 meters), WAZ-mixed, WAS mixed and CW, RCC, VUCC on 6 meters from EM54 and FN31, A-1 Operator, and a few contest certificates.

QSL's via bureau, direct (please include SASE or greenstamp), and LOTW.

Portable and DX operations. If you need a QSL for any of these operations please send an SASE.

Don't forget the best thing you can do to promote Amateur Radio is to be an elmer. Share your knowledge, experience, wisdom, and the lessons you have learned with other Amateurs.

Mike's 7 Simple Rules of Amateur Radio

Hope to hear you on the bands 73 es gud DX!.dit dit.

Mike KI1U

Former calls and operations: KB9BTG, N9KLB, KF9FY, KF9FY/VE3, AA9GE, PJ2A, PJ2/W5MPC, W5MPC

Field Day operations from - W9PC, W9GO, W5UMS, W1AW, and N1ZQ