Hello from the central Oregon coast; land of ocean fresh air and tall fir trees!
Thanks for visiting K7FD! I hope you'll enjoy the banter, fun, and photos. Most of what you'll see and read here is absolutely true...or at least a decent stretch of the imagination. With that in mind, enjoy!
Early K7FD circa 1969, then WA7IHO
Contrary to popular belief I did not get my ticket from inside a cereal box. I was licensed the old fashioned way, in front of a mean and nasty FCC examiner. I still remember that series of rapid-fire V's in the headphones!
The OM, today. Energetic, fit, sharp as a tack...yeah, right.
After graduating from Oregon State University by the thinnest of margins, I worked at a series of odd jobs and the occasional even one along the way. After chasing bad loans and repo'ing cars for a spell, I ended up spinning the hits as a rock n' roll DJ for 16 years. Then, somehow, I became a 'computer expert' - not to be confused with someone who actually studied Information Technology and has degrees to prove it. But armed with a little self-taught knowledge, I successfully battled wits with machines for 23 years before calling it quits and hanging it up for good. I soon discovered the worst day on ham radio was way better than the best day at work!
Below: QRP Spy Transmitter in a 3" Miniature Curious George lunchbox!
Now retired and a full-time ham, I share the shack with my XYL Annette N7SG; 2015 marks my 48th year of continuous brass pounding. My other interests are few but include RV'ing, cartooning, dropping my Cooper S into 3rd gear, and jamming on my electric guitars. I am a firm believer in all play and no work. I avoid gardening at all costs.
The radio shack sports Elecraft and Drake gear plus a handful of fine Ten Tec plastic radios but occasionally an import will sneak into the line up. And you'll find plenty of QRP rigs like this home built 20 meter SST:
I recently bought a mic but still struggling to get past 5 wpm. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and the FCC will take pity on us disadvantaged op's that just can't master phone. Until then, I'll remain on CW.
One of my latest finds is pictured below. Although unconfirmed, it appears to be a rare Sapphire Scarab, a bug rumored to be recovered from an ancient Egyptian tomb.
Best of today and yesterday:
By popular demand, here's more on the Red Rooster Hand Puppet Key:
Build the 
straight key!
All it takes is a Red Rooster silicone oven mitt (available from kitchen stores or Amazon), 2 brass brad contacts, mono plug, and a 2 conductor cable. Punch two holes, insert brads, solder it up, and you're ready for action!
Simply slip your hand inside Red's beak and flap away for flawless dits and dahs!
Key clucks optional; chirps and birdies guaranteed!
Works best at the crack of dawn.
Sometimes it can be a real zoo around the K7FD shack!
Shack mascots Snowball and Keno take a late night turn at the controls. They're responsible for throwing monkey wrenches into my projects, repairs, & restorations!
And Milton the Giraffe says figuring out the all the buttons on the TS-990S is a tall order!
K7FD portable 7, on the road again:
Thanks for visiting and here's to our next QSO!
73, John K7FD
Field Day, overnight shift. QRZZzzz.
