Hello, I am Tom and glad that you stopped by. Here is some information about myself you might find interesting:

My ham history and operating preference:

• I got first licensed in June 1981 at the age of 15 and
• I am operating CW only - well, let's say 99% to be honest.

My QSL policy:

• LoTW: 100% of my contacts (both regular and contest QSO)
• paper QSL cards (yes, I really appreciate them!):
  • will be either send
    • via bureau using GlobalQSL.com (for almost all regular QSO)
    • directly for "rare ones" (for both regular and contest QSO)
  • all incoming QSL cards will be answered, SWL cards welcome

My DOK (Distriktsortskenner for DARC DLD-awards):

• DOK G16 (OV Juelich)

Calls I use(d):

My current rig for HF (10-80m) and control equipment:

• Yaesu FT-950 (100 watts out)
• Gap Titan DX (8 band vertical)
• HamGadgets MasterKeyer MK-1
• UR5CDX CT 599MB polished brass heavy dual (iambic) level paddle
• G4ZLP DigiMaster ProPlus for digimodes
• Ham Radio Deluxe 6.0.0.132/Release 6 (for logging)
• Win-Test 4.10.0 (for contest logging)

My major awards:

• 7BDXCC CW (5BDXCC #7699 plus endorsements for 12m and 17m)
• DXCC CW #2705 (301 countries awarded by ARRL as of May 2013)
• 5BWAZ CW basic #660
• 5BWAC CW
• WAS CW #44624
• USA-CA CW 500 #2614
• WAE Top CW #243