Received this call sign in 1993. It was published in the November Issue of QST as the last one issued for the month, at the time of the publication. Since that time, it has appeared numerous times as an entry in the Field Day Contest, where it has scored more contacts for a Mobile in North America consistently each time used. Although this is not a contest per se, no one has had more Mobile contacts than this call sign after 1995. The rig in the car was a Kenwood TS50. The antenna was a SGC 304 whip running 100 Watts through a SGC Smartuner.

Still being in pretty good shape, for Field Day 2009, a 175 foot tower was climbed and a loop antenna was hung and tuned with the SGC 230 Smartuner as a Vertical array. The Low Power Club Station for the Callaway Amateur Radio League placed 1st in the North American "contest-fun-event" as 1A - MO. The group had control of the frequency of operation, and considering 100 Watts, and being struck by Lightning before 10PM local time on Saturday. This was quite an accomplishment for the Loop and the Club. The club did not operate at all on Sunday after that. Fortunately, no one was injured or hurt except all participants were soaking wet from a tremendous rain and wind storm. Our tent wound up in a farmer's field a couple of hundred feet away. Our club call is KS0B.

WIN-EQF is employed as the main logging program, and CT for Contesting. Rigs are a Kenwood TS-990S, Kenwood TS-950 SDX, Kenwood TS-2000 SAT, at the home QTH. The aerial is 1420 +/- feet of #12 AWG Solid THHN wire strung between 4 Utility Poles on the property and to and from a 40 foot Rohn 25 tower. The array is tuned on all bands with a MFJ-998-RT remote antenna coupler, and is energized with an Ameritron ALS-1300-X Solid State 1200 watt "near limit" amplifier. The amplifier in employed when necessary on all bands (with the exception of 30 Meters) as needed to establish consistent and reliable contact.

Ham Radio is a great resource and great means of keeping the mind occupied. With the amplifier in line on 160, it is possible to work the band even on noisy summer nights.

There is nothing like enjoying a good DX Rag Chew or DX in general. Meeting new people on the air is always a pleasure. For most hams these days, a 2 meter transceiver is their first purchase. However, mine was a Heathkit SB-104A and getting my feet wet right away by building my own equipment and getting on HF. For 2 meters at home, I use a J-POLE I have dubbed the "PO-POLE" which is made out of 1 inch copper pipe.

Working on electronic equipment is enjoyable as was previously gainfully employed doing so after earning an Engineering Degree in later life. Radio is a blast! There is nothing like two way conversation via the "airwaves" and a spool of wire for an aerial. Consequently repairing, building, servicing and maintain my own equipment is still enjoyable. I also maintain a State of the Art "GE-Ma/Com-Harris" 2 Meter Mastr III repeater for the Callaway Amateur Radio League. Vehicle restoration and tinkering with lots of stuff in general is a good pastime.

As you know, Ham radio has always been a source of help in emergencies and of helping others. Somehow, one can always find time, to assist by helping a couple of hams who can no longer do for themselves anymore. Hopefully if the need should arise later, that some younger and more able ham will be willing to assist me someday. That's what being a ham is all about. Helping others with their experimental endeavors.

"see you on the radio"

Tom AAØPO Vaccaro

Numero Uno Prosciutto

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American Amateur Nut'n Prosciutto Operator