I live in Rochester, Minnesota and operate K0MD using an Icom 7800, an Icom 7600 and an Icom 7000 along with an Alpha 78 and an Acom 1010.  I am not a SO2R contester but do ilke So2R Dxing with both rigs working the packet cluster spots through my Array Solutions 6-PAK antenna system.  I use ICE filters and typically run full power when Dxing. 

The photo below was taken by AI0C, Dr. Stanley Cram who is a professional photographer and did the photo shoot at my tower raising.  It was a cold Fall day in Minnesota and the TCDXA jacket and my Force 12 cap kept me warm.  I think the temperature was around 40 F on that September weekend.

I have two towers, a Rohn HDBX at 48 ft and a Rohn 55 at 100 ft. The Rohn 55 has a KLM 2 element 40 meter Yagi at 110 ft and a Force 12 C49XR Yagi at 100 feet. It also has a Force 12 C31XR at 45 feet. The Force 12 yagis are controlled with an Array Solutions Stack Match.

The Rohn HDBX tower has a Force 12 4BA yagi for 10/12 and 15/17 meters at 50 feet. The antenna farm also has an 80 meter Four Square anda 160 meter vetical.

My 4 square uses the Force 12 Sigma 80 vertical dipoles which do not require any radials. It is a very suburban friendly array.

I am using the Force 12 Magnum 160 VX2 for 160 meter DXing and contesting.

You can read more at www.k0md.com

(photos are courtesty of AI0M - a great DXer and photographer)

Both low band antennas perform very well. You can see photos of these antennas and more at http://www.texasantennas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=248&Itemid=257

I have a K9AY loop for 160-40 meters receiving and a beverage system that I have taken down.

This photo illustrates the W0AIH method of ensuring the tower is vertically aligned (and thanks Alpha for the monogramed cap!).  The tower went up on a very hot Saturday in July and the long-sleeve shirt prevented sunburn.  The tower installation day was as warm as the antenna installation day was cold!

I also use the Icom 7600 or the 7000 for portable and mobile operation including overseas DX and contest operations. I frequently use a Force 12 Sigma 40xk vertical dipole with it. The antenna travels in a golf club case and the rig travels in my brief case.Pictures of the case and its portability are featured on the Force 12 website in the customer gallery http://www.texasantennas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=248&Itemid=257

I also have a spare travel yagi - the Force 12 2 element 20 meter monobander.

I use Begali keys now exclusively. I have the Signature and the Traveler Light. Dayton 2012 should bring my third one!  I have the Bencher BY-1 keys as back up but the Begalis are in a class by themselves.  They are worth every penny of their cost as they are a lifelong investment.  The Traveler Light is an amazing and durable key for traveling.  The signature is even better! You can see that I enjoy CW a lot.

I enjoy Dxing, Contesting and meeting people from all over the world. You will find me on SSB, RRTY and CW but CW is my first love and most frequently used mode of communication. I have been licensed since May 1977 and enjoy the hobby more now than ever.

I travel a lot internationally with my job as a physician at the Mayo Clinic. I lecture frequently in Europe, Asia and Latin America. I plan to operate portable from Chile when I am there for medical meetings as time allows.

I have operated VP5H during the ARRL DX SSB contest with my friends W0GJ and WA0MHJ for several years.  Jody Millspaugh is a great hostess and her location is great for DX contesting.   Contesting from the Caribbean is a blast. Thank you to all who worked us! I am still answering QSL cards from the trip and we are planning to be there in March 2013. Please send a SASE with your request for a QSL card. For specific QSL information, please see http://www.k0md.com/page_qsl_information_qsl_information_and_faqs.html

Hobbies include time with my lovely spouse, Jann, who tolerates my activities in our hobby; and activities with our children (W0SMW, K0AEW, K0KEW and one yet to get the ticket). W0SMW has started contesting with me in M/M events and does the Minnesota QSO party by herself. She is a great operator for her age - now 13. Listen for her on the Minnesota QSO Party every February and in SSB sweepstakes with me.  We are active in our children's school and in our local church, www.autumnridgechurch.org.  It is a great place to spend some time on Sundays if you are visiting Rochester. 

All QSL cards sent to me directly are answered but often not immediately. Bureau cards are answered generally with some delay. I regularly do LOTW but only for contacts with K0MD. I have not applied for permission with the ARRL system to do other calls but it is on my to do list!

I currently am using the MAC computer for logging and operating with MacLogger DX Plus. It is great software and I like it for many reasons including its integration with the callsign database QRZ.com and the ease with which I can generate LOTW files.  I also use N!MM and Write Log for contesting and keep all QSO's backed up on DX Base as well.  

I operated CE2/K0MD from Vina del Mar, Chile in August 2008 and 2009-11. I have been working with the medical community there for ten ++ years organizing medical conferences. It is a beautiful city by the sea and I enjoyed working everyone who called me.  I appreciate the staff at Hotel Capducal (pictured here) and Hotel del Mar who authorize my operations and often assist me with putting antennas up.  I plan to be active early August 2012.

In this photo, I was using a Force 12 Sigma 40 XK vertical dipole and an Icom 7000 rig. The picture on this site shows the hotel where I operated and you can see the Force 12 Sigma 40 XK at the top of the hotel.  My website has a few more photos from Chile www.k0md.com, under the Dx section. 

You can QSL via my home address or the buro but I ask US and Canadian hams to QSL directly and to PLEASE send a SASE. Please see this link for more information on QSL cards for any of my operations from Chile:http://www.k0md.com/page_qsl_information_qsl_information_and_faqs.html

LOTW - I am nearly current on LOTW. If a qso is missing, contact me off line so we can see if I have it in my log.

For those of you who worked me in 2008 as CE7/K0MD, please qsl via my home address or buro (non-US hams). I was visiting Puerto Varas, a picturesque village in the South of Chile. The picture below shows the typical winter weather of the Chilean Patagonian region. The hotel was quite accomodating to allow me to put the antenna on the patio outside their parlor. The parlor was a very comfortable operating location.

For those of you who worked me as K0MD/BY1TX, thank you. The experience with the B1Z club was memorable. I want to thank FanBin and the members of the B1Z club who graciously hosted me in China during the CQ CW WPX contest. Their By1TX station is fantastic and their hospitality and kindness exceed anything one could imagine. I hope you will take time to read my article in the NCJ about this trip. You can also find more information in the GreyLine publication from the Twin Cities DX association. If you need a QSL card from my time with BY1TX, please seehttp://www.k0md.com/page_qsl_information_qsl_information_and_faqs.html

I am the advisor for the Schaeffer Academy Radio club, W0SAA. Please work our students and QSL directly to my home address. The students love getting cards. Please listen for us on the Minnesota QSO Party.

I have helped organize the 2008 and 2009 W0 DXCC and contest meetings in Rochester, MN, http://www.w0dxcc.com.

Organizations - ARRL (www.arrl.org/), Twin Cities Dx Association (http://www.tcdxa.org/), Minnesota Wireless Association (http://www.w0aa.org/), CW Ops group (www.cwops.org), Honorary Member, B1Z., Rochester Amateur Radio Club

Trustee, W0SAA, Schaeffer Academy Radio Club.,

President - Rochester Amateur Radio Club, 2012

Northern California DX Foundation supporter.

I am a member of the ARRL Diamond Club, Gold level.  The League is raising funds for its Second Century Campaign. I am a contributer and I urge you to donate any amount to it you can. It is part of our responsibility to look out for future interests for amateur radio and I think the ARRL does it as well as anyone.

Thanks for reading all the way down to here. Good Dxing and Best 73.  Scott, K0MD, CE2/K0MD. VP5/K0MD, K0MD/BY1TX