I was first licensed in 1965 as a novice WN6QLM. A borrowed 15 meter crystal yielded my first DX (a JA) and shortly after that I took a section award in the ARRL Novice Roundup. There was no going back. I quickly upgraded to General then Advanced as WB6QLM. My struggles with CW delayed my upgrade to Extra but in 1989 I change my call to KI6VC buckled down and upgraded.

 

For most of the ‘80s I operated “WLP” (Without Landlord’s Permission) from a condo with all indoor antennas. That was a real lesson in humility and a source of humor. I had contacted VK9NS (SK RIP) on 20. Jim commented that my signal was pretty weak and could I swing the beam around. I looked at the 20m wire turnstile above the bed and then came back to him “… is this better?” “Yes what did you do?” “I opened the window…” Then I was given a copy of “The Complete DXer” (this should be required reading) I learned some real DX Jujitsu.

Today, I’m enjoying the hobby to the max. I’ve tried to setup a station with contesting in mind. The main rig is a 756 ProIII w/Inrad roofing filter. An AL-1200 takes it to the limit. On the tower at 60 feet is a 4 element SteppIR covering 40 to 6. A sloper covering 80 and 160 completes the skyhooks. It won’t set the world on fire and the big guns aren’t shaking in their boots…just yet, but now there are no excuses. I try to work all the major contests and several minor one.

 

 

 

While I love just about every contest, CQP the California QSO Party is my favorite and the start of the contest season. I'm part of the K6Z crew a group of hard-core full-contact contesters. We hit the field to WIN, take no prisoners leave no survivors. With a lot of work we have won the County Expedition category two years running and now 2011 looks like we did it again. Next to CQP Field Day is favorite with our group operating W6TD from Southern Inyo or KE6RN our CalCity club call. Special kudos to W6PH who supplies the cabin in Lone Pine and several mil surplus masts and mono banders AND a whole mess of Qs. My job is to pay the "rent" several gallons of homebrew !

 

 

 

K6Z SetUp on LonePine Creek

 

 

 

Contesting is WarFare.The Team

 

 

SunSet at Mt Whitney

 

 

 

 

When I’m not hamming it up at home, I take it on the road in my RV with an IC 7000, an AH-4 tuner and a converted military vertical. For FD or CQP I’ll throw in a TH3jr. If "louder" is needed an FL2000 adds some punch. RVing and ham radio are a perfect fit. Camping with side of DX is the way to go. In a modern RV, field exercises are a real pleasure. For you purists out there, I checked the rules and there is no PAIN & SUFFERING bonus. Believe me after 4+ decades of some harsh outside ops, senior discounts bring a demand for some well deserved comfort. Some of you may have seen my setup at the Visalia International DX Convention, if you spot my rig, the one with the “Big Blue Spike,” stop in for a cold one.

 

 

 

 

Last but not least are the guardians of the ManCave, the Contest Dogs of Doom, DangerDogs Inc.the security team of Meko and Sparky -The Lads-.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meko The Big Dog,-the old Dog-is a damm good looking mutt and women just love him. He is the chief of site security and time was he could chase more rabbits, lick more plates, munch more Milk Bones and sniff more butt than anything on four paws. He’s part collie part couch-potato and a calculating mass of face licking fury. While he's slowed down a mite he can still put the pup in his place.That would be Sparky the newest member of the team rescued at our 08 Field Day site.

As for breed we think he’s a mix of Border Collie/Terrier and jet turbine. The kid is a fire-pissing-pistol operating on RTTY duty cycle, a seventh level black fur Tae Kwon Dog master and bed hog. The boy trucks no mice or wabbits so beware the Black Spark! He almost didn't make it to this point. There isn’t much in the house without his teeth marks! His “come to Jesus” moment was when he chewed up a pair of my Heil headsets. He owes his hide to Meko (Don’t taz my little bro!) and Dr (he’s soooo cute) Donna at the Heil hospital. With Meko’s help and some better blood pressure meds (for me!) the boy has redeemed himself. The team has it all worked out now Meko keeps an eye out for the neighbors and Sparky watches out for Osama Bin Bunny. Everybody barks during SSB contest. Oh, and pity the fool who messes with the cheese supply!

 

Oh but now we have something new NEW. At 1951/1954 UTC June 1 my daughter gave birth to twins. Look Out World! Maddie and Johnnie are QRV from ARRL SAC sec. Grandpa is starting an equipment fund.upgrading the shack for multi-multi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are DynamicDuo 5 months and growing and ready for SweepStakes

 

 

 

 

Here’s to rubbing elbows with you in the next contest or pile up.

73 de KI6VC, Meko & Sparky