INTERESTS

CW CONTESTING, DX'ING , and QSK rag chewing on cw. Developed a passion for cw during my novice years in the early 70's. In the 90's ran QRP and LP in the SSCW Contest. Last 10 years spent time with my brother deer hunting on SSCW weekend. I like building and repairing electronics,& experimenting with antenna's. Maintain the 146.82mhz repeater in Shreveport,La. Graduated from college and worked as petroleum geologist till 90's. Changed careers and did something I have wanted to do since I got into radio. I became the chief operator for KWKH AM/FM broadcast stations. KWKH was the home of the La Hayride, where Elvis Presley got his start in the 50's. TX Site put in before WW2, 3- 5/8w phased verticals 400' tall! I currently work in railroad communications performing VHF,UHF, & Microwave maintenance and repair.

Enjoy WW2 Air Force/Naval history (See "The W5E for Eighth Story")Six years ago, I rode on the last flying WW2 B24 (The "WitchCraft") for an hour. A relative was shot down in one while flying his 9th mission over Germany in WW2. All the crew made it out, and later got together to put their pilots name on the side of this plane. He is still alive, & came out to watch me ride. He captivated the crew and other passengers talking about bailing out - on fire at 22,000' . (He wouldn't ride again though-said " Lord let me make it out of last one,- I'm not pushing my luck"!) (Update:WitchCraft came back this year-He was offered a free ride-he took it @ 89 yrs old- made TV news) http://www.ketknbc.com/local/wings-of-freedom-0

HF antenna is a Sommer XP 807 log yagi antenna. What an antenna! Not for the casual ham to put together and tune. Only up 42' but pulls in the DX! My other HF antenna is an 80m loop, up 70ft , fed with 300 ohm ladder line and a DX Eng 6:1 current balun.

Summer, 2008 I had a great time working the ZF1A contest station as ZF2SI while vacationing on Grand Cayman Island.

Summer, 2009 Just got back fr 2 wk vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. Operated KH6BB on the USS Missouri @ Pearl Harbor, and was a guest op @ KH7Y on the Big Isl. Great time! An experience to hear the sigs from Fred's great QTH over there!

Summer, 2010 Back home from a 2 week DX/vacation as PJ7/K5SL from the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. I made around 1900 QSO's when not snorkeling or seeing the island. Hope I work'd you.

May, 2011 Fred, KH7Y came to visit me in La , ate crawfish, and then we went to Dayton Hamfest. Had a great time!

I also enjoy riding my Yamaha Virago 1000 out in the country side. This state has some great scenery, & I still enjoy watching the sun come up, while hunting or fishing in the woods and lakes of Louisiana. Five years ago I put up 2 bat houses in back yard for mosquito control- have nearly 500 in both. May like this video when they came out mid day to cool off!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmagMq4Dur4

*2.2 lbs of PJ7/K5SL cards went to ARRL Outgoing Buro on 04/09/12 Be Patient.All were DX cards to Europe.

Pix is YL and I swimming off shore with migrating whale sharks Sept, 2012 @ Isla Mujures, Mexico