EX: K7JYE

First licensed in 1959 in Oakridge, Oregon as KN7JYE. The first rig was a Knight Kit Ocean Hopper receiver and ARC-5 transmitter. I didn't realize it at the time, but the nice blue "glow" of the 1625 tubes meant that most of the power was actually being reflected back into the transmitter -- due to using 75 ohm coax that the local TV cable company had thrown away because it was bad. Still, I managed to work DX with what was probably 10 watts output into a dipole at 15'.

Currently operate CW, mostly on the low bands.

The station is a "minimalist" approach, with a FT-950 at 100 watts. The antenna "farm" consists of a lonely HF6V vertical surrounded by stucco to the east and a 12' berm to the west. Logging is done with Win-test. I also operate QRP using a Heathkit HW-8, and there's also a "boat anchor" station comprised of an Eico 720 transmitter and Knight Kit R-100 receiver.

The biggest thrills (in radio at least) have been building big antennas and operating in DX contests at the Multi-Multi station of W6BA several years ago, and the recent achievement of getting on the DXCC Honor Roll with 340 total.

Left to Right: K7JYE in 1961, Homebrew QRP, Vintage Station

Left to Right: K6CU QSL card, The Collins Station, Ocean Hopper receiver

My favorite gal, Robbin

On a personal note, my wife and I have 5 children (2 hers, 2 mine and 1 "ours"). We've both enjoyed successful careers in the newspaper advertising business (in northern and southern California) in sales and management positions. I'm currently an independent advertising representative for several national magazines.