Hi Everyone!� My name is David Fidler.� (only the State of North Carolina and the Feds use my first name, go figure)� I first got interested in ham radio back in high school thanks to one of my teachers, Bob Cooley WA4MQW.� Ham radio got put on the back burner after school due to life and work getting in the way.� I finally became a ham in 1994 as a no-code tech.� After losing interest in 1998, my interest was rekindled in 2010 thanks to the hams on AR15.com.� I upgraded to General in July 2010 and finally got back on the air with HF privileges and as Ronald McDonald would say, "I'm lovin' it!"

When I first got on the air on HF, I just threw up a random length wire about 15' up.� Since then I've built an OCF Dipole and I have it up about 30'.� The difference between the two is just amazing!� Now, I find that I can hear (and work) alot more stations.� I've even enjoy using SSB now.

When I got on HF my station consisted of a Yaesu FT-857D with a LDG YT-100 autotuner.� I've since upgraded to a Yaesu FTdx-1200.� What a amazing radio!� Now, all I need is a screwdriver antenna and the 857D will go in my truck.� In the truck at the moment is a FT-2500M 2 meter radio that I bought new back in 1996.� After having some bad caps replaced in the mic it is running like it was new.

I also enjoy using the digital modes.� I don't hang out on any particular band, I just go where the propagation takes me.

I hope to catch you on the bands!

David KE4TLB