Hi,

My name is James Irvine. (Previous Callsigns KA0FLL and KC0WNH). I earned my first ticket in 1979 at the age of 17. I am pleased that (KA0FLL) has since been granted to my mother.

My first humble but functional station consisted of a Hallicrafters SX-28A reciever and a Central Electronics 20-A Exciter driving a WRL Globe LA-1 Amplifier.

I did not have a VFO back then. I had to pencil or grind any crystal that I could get my hands on. Antenna's were homemade dipoles strung up between the trees in my parents backyard.

The first contact was on (Aug 12 1979) running 15 watts from our home in Northville,SD to VE7EWW (DAVE) in Sardis,BC Canada on 7.125 MHZ. I still have that first QSL card and I note that Dave gave a nice 599.

Now days, my old Central 20A is VFO controlled,the Globe linear runs 250+ watts into a Hustler 5BTV, the signal is monitored with a Tektronix 546/1A1 scope and a frequency counter.

My present station also includes the following: IC-756PROII, FT-897D, TS-940S,TS-930S, TS-520SE, Henry 2-KD Classic, HW-101, Radius P110,a few Maxar 80's,several scanners, NC-98,FT-207R, TH7DX, VB-25FM,ARX2B, Buddipole Deluxe (long whips), a discone,Jpoles and a few wire dipoles.

I am a member of the ARRL and the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club (W0BLK), My main interest and enjoyment is HF phone, I enjoy DX and ragchewing.

I would describe myself as an "old school" type of operator and it saddens and angers me when I run across any one of the Lids that are so plentyfull on the air these days! I am not sure if anything can or will be done to address this growing problem... But for now I have to believe that the best medicine is to remain silent and record/report) individuals that jamm,broadcast, harrass and use foul language etc on the air...

Hope to CU on the radio soon. You can find me most weekends on 20, or 80 meter phone, 40 meter CW, or our local 146.940 repeater.

Bye for now and 73, James Irvine/K0QI.