I've been a ham since 1961. Getting on the air is just as much fun today as it was on my first day.

I am a Physicist, and my wife and I moved to our lake home when I retired. My regular QTH is on beautiful Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota, where I use a 3-element SteppIR at 60 ft (19m) and 1500W. Other antennas include an 80m sloper and an inverted-L for 160.

A few years ago, I operated as KØXB/5 from Placitas and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I can be found now as KØXB/6 from Coronado Island, California. If you hear me as KØXB/6, please bear with me because I'm only using 100W and a portable vertical antenna. It's not as effective as my station at home, but I have worked almost 200 countries from Coronado.

I'm on CW, the digital modes and SSB on 160 through 10. DX-ing is my main focus, and I have earned a place on the DXCC Honor Roll as well as 8BDXCC, QRP DXCC, RTTY (Digital) DXCC, CW DXCC, SSB DXCC, WAZ and a 2,000 medallion for DXCC Challenge. I have a grand total of 348 countries worked, with 320 on digital. My current total is 338.

Please QSL via Logbook of the World. Otherwise, use the bureau or direct. You will get the confirmation a lot quicker using LOTW.

However, I generally reply to a paper QSL only if it's not already confirmed on LOTW or eQSL, because that's the point of having a system like LOTW or eQSL. If you really do want a paper QSL in addition to an on-line QSL, please let me know. I will be happy to send a card to you.

73, Rick