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I became interested in electronics and amateur radio at the age of 16. I
received my Novice license February 26, 1954 and was assigned the call
WN8QJH,in Hamilton, Ohio. Ham radio was the force that would challenge my
intellect and provide me with countless hours of enjoyment, frustration and
once and awhile a wonderful since of pride and accomplishment.
I received my General Class license September 2, 1954 and soon became very
interested in building my own equipment. By mid-1955 I had completed my first
home-brew kilowatt station, a pair of 813's, plate modulated by a pair of
811's........does this setup bring back any memories?
I left Hamilton and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1965 and was fortunate to
become employed at my first job in electronics at Motorola. I upgraded to Extra
Class and was assigned the call W7HEQ, November 28, 1969. Shortly after the
commission changed the rules regarding vanity calls I applied for a two letter
call and received W7JI on May 20, 1977.
Through out the years my main interest in our hobby was that of building home
brew equipment. I have written several articles that were published in CQ
magazine on Top-Loaded vertical antenna's and high power linear amplifiers.
I worked professionally in commercial broadcasting as an engineer for forty
years and retired in June, 2002. At the end of July, 2006, we left Phoenix and
moved to Arkansas City, Kansas where my new QTH is located 6 miles East of
Arkansas City right on top of the highest hill in the area and has underground
utilities. The antenna system consists of a 60 foot self-supporting tower with
a 3 element SteppIR Yagi and 160 meter and 40 meter inverted vee's hung at the
50 foot level on the tower.
About 90% of my operating time is devoted to CW and the other 10% is operating
SSB either mobile or rag chewing on 160,40 or 17 meters. My son Randy is now
ham with a Technician Class license and his call is KE7AZM.
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