Hi all, been hamming since 1980 and still love the hobby.Started out with CW,as a novice.Started playing in some of the contests.Had lot of fun picking up new countries. Migrated to phone contests.Again ,adding to the country and band count.Then got hooked on RTTY contesting.Tnxs AB8K ,sad to say,is now a silent key,for the help and friendly nudge.High point for me was setting a, then, record in the CQWW RTTY WPX Contest for single band high power 20 meters for the U.S.A. in 2007. Great fun.

I'm President in our local club and also an A.R.E.S. member with a very active group here in Ohio district 10. Really great bunch of guys & gals.

Station is pretty simple: 'Ole Yaesu FT-990, hears great,Dentron MT-2000 tuner.Sold my MT-3000. Now running an Ameritron AL-811H for a little kick when needed.This replaced an Alhpa 91B that I reluctantly sold. Great Amp. Retirement came early.

Main tower supports a KLM-KT34XA up 75 Ft. plus 13 EL.2 meter at 80ft. 2nd tower has an Alpha Delta 40-80 dipole up 50ft. Also have full wave horizontal loop at app. 40 ft. for 80 meters.It also plays well on 40,20,17,12,10 and believe it or not,6 meters.Out back there is a ground. mounted Hf2V with 40 plus radials 33 ft.or longer.Recently I Ground mounted my old Hustler 5BTV with vertical wires added for 12 & 17. Have 52- 25 foot radials under it.Plays better than I expected.Having fun on 17.

Update on the Hustler.I attached a wire for 6 meters to the now 8BTV.Not a beam but made contacts at 5 watts during the E's this summer .

Oh yea, can't forget my trusty Butternut HF6V.Also grd mounted but only 9 radials.Use it for a comparison ant. as I have had it up and down since the 80'sand know what to expect from it.

Been playing some QRP with an MFJ9020 for a couple years.Suprising what 3 to 4 watts will do. Really getting the bug to do some portable work.

Update. March 2011. Broke down an bought a Yaesu FT-817ND. There are 5 guys in our club with 817's and they were having much too much fun with QRP.

First 4 QSO'S we're 3 Russian stations on 18 and a ZL on 12 all on the Hustler with added wires.All CW at 5 WATTS! WHEW! Lots' of fun.

Since getting the 817 I've joined SKCC, trying to get my "fist back". Also the NAQCC, North American QRP CW Club.

Amongst their many activites the club runs a 2 hour Sprint once a month.Great ,slower pace type of contest. Good way to test a newly made antenna or pick up a couple new QRP to QRP States. Turn the power down and give it a try. QRP works.

I'm having more fun with 5 watts or less and simple antennas than I've had in a long time.

Update;May 1st,2012 We've sold our house here in N.E. Ohio. One tower down .One to go. 2nd tower down now .May 12th. We'll be moving south on the 29th of May to somewhere just north of Charlotte,NC.Going to stay at the daughters in Salisbury,NC. till we can find a home that will be at least ,Vertical and Wire friendly !! Gonna be stricly QRP 817 & HB endfed for awhile.

My motto, if you haven't worked it in 24 hours it's new Dx .Have Fun.

73 for now and see on the bands,

Mark WG8Y