HI! I'm Tom, Welcome to my sad little QRZ Page!

I've managed to get my station setup and get in on the fun on the air. Things are not ideal, but when are they? Things in fact have gotten better now that I've repaired the minor damage to my R-7000. I can actually work Q's now.

So you are here looking for information, right? Well let me tell you some things that you might like to know.

Equipment HF/6M
Rigs: Kenwood TS-480SAT (Primary), Kenwood TS-520S (Secondary)
Ant: Cushcraft R-7000, 80M Helical Dipole @ 30ft, Hustler 5BTV (Only Avail on 10/15/20m), 80M End-Fed Dipole
Accessories: Signalink USB (All Rigs), MFJ-949EY (All HF), SP-520 (2, one on each rig), VFO-520, TV-506, MC-50 (520S), 4Port RJ-45 Switch

Equipment VHF
Rigs: Yaesu FT-7800R (2m/440), FT-1500 (2M), Motorla MaxTrac (2m), Bendix-King Handheld (2m/Public Service)
Ant: Cushcraft ARX2B Ringo Ranger II @35ft, Homebrew 6m 5/8w Vertical, Homebrew 2m/440 5/9 element yagi for Sat Work
Accessories: Signalink USB, 4Port RJ-45 Switch

So I bet you are wondering, Tom, How do you have 1 Signalink on 3 rigs? Well, Simple, the internal header for the Signalink is the same for the Kenwood TS-480SAT and the Yeasu FT-7800R, so I simply wired both up to a manual RJ-45 Switch, Then I wired up a connector from the RJ-45 to the Mic Connector for the 520S, put in a Y harness between the MC-50 and the Signalink and Poof 3 Rigs, 1 Signalink. Now of course one could homebrew everything and just use the computer soundcard, but the Signalink is great in that it's basically a USB Soundcard with manual level adjustments, and it spares me from the annoyance of having to swap audio settings all the time. Besides, who can argue with working Digital while enjoying some nice music as well?

Also, you'll might find me working PSK31, RTTY, SSB. I work CW now and then, but due to Tinnitus this is a rare occurance. I will usually save my CW work for the brief run in a CW Contest, because I can only stand it in short-bursts (I was lucky to get though my 20wpm Code Test (Never did upgrade to Adv/Extra. Maybe someday). However, I've found thanks to the "digital age" I can manage to combine the computer with my ear and rack up a good 100 or so before I can't stand it.

I've started to play around with JT-65A. It's kinda fun actually. It's really nice, given its a new-mode for me, so everything is "needed"- Brings the fun back into working "new ones".

I've also recently changed logging software to fully use DX Lab's DXKeeper, this is in part due to a number of issues I've had with the HRD Logbook. Don't get me wrong, I love HRD and DM780, and really I've not seen anything that can come close to touching the power of those two programs, but when it comes to logging, DXKeeper just seems more stable and more robust. Also I've started to shy away from HRD for the moment because I'm waiting on what the "New HRD" will look like in a number of aspects, but I suspect I'll be using HRD for a long time to come in the futuere for at least most digital modes and rig control

Finally. I've now gotten WAS-LOTW-Basic Thanks to Les KL7J who pushed me over the top with a JT-65 QSO on 17m on July/3/2012 @ 1941. Thanks Bucnhes Les!!
I'm currently working on a few more, have nailed down Digital, JT-65 and 20M WAS; Currently working on the WARC bands and picking off the few last ones for a couple more. I mostly hang out and try to help people with that "rare DX of NY" over on the K3UK LOTW Sked page which you can find at http://www.obriensweb.com/sked/ it's a great little place with a bunch of great folks who are egar and more than willing to set up a sked or work on the fly.

Usually if you are looking for me, you can find me on HF somewhere, or locally on 146.955+ (W2SEX) and 146.415 Simplex. I still make it on occasion to the 3905CCN Nets, but that's a rare occurance these days given my schedule. Eventually when I get around to it I'll have some 100-point, 500-point and other 3905CCN Awards to talk about. I'm also involved with the USislands group, having been part of the crew to Activate and Qualify NY-45R Beaver Island with the W2SEX Call. We're looking at doing a few more of these in the near future so keep an ear out for us.

I am also a past President, Newsletter editor, and 13-year Board of Director of the Amateur Radio Assoc. of the Tonawands (W2SEX). Oh, and as of June 2012, I'm serving on the ARATS Board again. I never seem to get a break :). I am also an ARRL Accredited Volunteer Examiner and an ARRL Member (Probably soon to be Life Member, Just because).

About QSLing: I'm good via LoTW, and have put everything in my surviving logs there. I'm also good in the 3905CCN Buro's. If you need a card from me, the inclusion of a SASE will ensure you get one back, non-SASE'ed cards will get replied to, its just a matter of me having the time to get to the post to send it out, these days I usually only originate out a card for 3905CCN and Needed Q's. There are two gaps in my log in which one set were lost due to a fire while "portable 8" (99) and a computer snag (04). I do have an eQSL account, but now only use it for other people who use it, basically I've given up on eQSL.

I also have a website at http://kb2uri.w2sex.org but there's really nothing to see there- I never get around to doing anything with it. It's hard to find spare time these days. Outside of Amateur Radio, I enjoy Music, Fishing, Geocaching and Reading; but like Amateur Radio it seems I never have much time for that as well.

73-Tom KB2URI