Thanks for looking me up.

If we had a QSO, thanks. Please QSL direct or via E-QSL.

I just obtained the E-WAS award and think E-QSL is cool .

I'm Not into LoTw and don't expect to use this.

I started out around age 11 as a BC DXer when a family friend gave me an old AM table radio that was good enough to get distant stations at night. Later I visited a family that had a big Zenith console radio with short wave bands, the owner was happy to show me how it worked and while the old folks were talking and playing cards, I was becoming hooked by short wave radio. I begged and bugged my family until I got my own Hallicrafters S38d receiver for Christmas 1957. Soon I found the ham bands and decided that I wanted to be a ham. Study and code practice went on until '61 when I got Dean, K8ULU to give me a Novice exam.

In High school the grand old man was Rich, K8MEG who had his novice before I did, later I got some of my friends Interested and licensed including Jay Allen who originallly was WA8CAL in Michigan and is now VY1JA way up north in Yukon Territory, Canada, Jerry Fox, WA8HHH, (now W8BJF)and a few others who dropped out of ham radio.

I have taught ham radio at a local high school and in radio clubs. My greatest pleasure is when I run into one of my old students on the air and they say "thanks for getting me started". The next best is working a new ham on CW and getting a " thanks for taking the time to work with me"!

Over the years I have operated most modes and bands from 160Mup to 450 mhz.I Still keep going back to CW and QRP where I started .

Currently I am a member of ARRL, Ten-ten international and FISTS cw club and the SKCC straight key club. I operate on 160 thru 30M using my TS440S, I also still use my old TS520 and ocassionally a MFJ9030 or CUBQRP rig. I send my CW with a MFJ Grandmaster or Hallicrafters HA-1 keyer, and my old Novice station J-38 straight key for QRS. Recently got a Vibroplex Champion Bug and enjoying making CW music with it.

When ten meters is open I operate SSB and FM with a RS HTX-10 and HY-Gain 3 element yagi.

Callsign history ;

My first callsign was WN8AFS in 1961, Upgraded to general in 1962, became WA8AFS, upgraded to Extra in 1974, changed call to K8JD in 1977.

Briefly in 1989 Changed to AA8HE (long story) and in 1990 went back to K8JD.

Starting in January of 2012 I am retired from 43 years in the radio service business  and have more time to work on the old house and my Ham Radio  and Astronomy hobbies.

My latest Radio adventure includes operating on 60M cw and 6M SSB.

As of June '12 have 24 states worked on 60M CW.

Grid squares are new to me and sometimes in the excitement of 6M DX I forget mine !

If you hear me on 6m, I am QRP with a little MFJ rig and a Yagi only up 25 Ft so please excuse my weak signal and say hello !