I was originally licensed as KB7WPL as a No-Code Technician in 1993. My license took 4 months to arrive, so I started learning Morse Code. By the time my licensed arrived and I could operate, I was ready to take my 5 WPM test. I got my Technician with HF just in time for the 1993 10 meter contest. I was instantly hooked on contesting and my callsign was printed in the contest results in QST, imagine that. I managed to upgrade to Extra in the following 3 years, and yes it was with the 20 WPM code requirement.

I joined the FISTS Morse Code Preservation Society in the late 90s, FISTS number 2972, and have been very active on CW since joining. I find contacting DX stations a thrill and trying, too. Most DX stations send CW at blazing speed and I do have a difficult time copying anything over 20 WPM, but that does not discourage me. I have no problem asking an operator to QRS. I achieved my FISTS Century Award (NR 1806) on 11/01/2005.

I like to make contacts with slower operators primarily because one of my first contacts on 40 meters CW was with an Extra class operator who spent over an hour in QSO with me, my horrible fist an all. When I looked up his callsign and discovered he was an Extra, I was impressed to say the least. I know the Novice and Technician with HF appreciate the QSOs and the opportunity to get operating time. That is the best way to improve ones CW proficiency. GET ON THE AIR!

I can’t design a circuit for my life, but I do enjoy building my own equipment and stations accessories from schematics and instructions. I built a Sierra multi-band QRP transceiver for backpacking and camping. I took the Sierra to camp Kern with my son’s Boy Scout troop as special event station K7A and had a ball making contacts from Camp Kern, CA at 7900 feet MSL.

I built an Elecraft K2 transceiver, S/N 539, SSB module, 160 meter module with dual antennas, and the internal automatic antenna tuner, and discovered the exciting and challenging world of QRP operations. My electronic skills are not that good. I collect K2 serial numbers when in a QSO with another K2 stations.

I finally moved into HF mobile operations. My HF mobile station consists of an ICOM IC-706MKIIG, Hi-Q 4/80 antenna with a BOSS-II antenna controller. I’ve made a few mobile contacts, but I am not happy with my antenna location on my 1994 Nissan truck.  The new 2007 GMC Sierra truck is presenting a lot of mounting issues for both the radios and antennas, but I hope to have it HF moble as well very soon.

I go camping a lot and have outfitted my travel trailer with UHF/VHF and HF radios, antennas, and accessories. Portable operations are a lot of fun and I often operate QRP when camping. The trailer makes a good Field Day station with the 2 Honda eu2000i generators.

I fell in love with straight keys in 2006 when I found the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) and have been very active. The club is dedicated to manually or semi-manually generated CW (straight keys, bugs, side swipers, cooties, etc.) and has a key specially designated as the SKCC key from LTA of Spain. The key comes complete with a serial number. My key is # 36 and my membership number is 2240. I have acheived the Centurion and Tribune award levels and have completed a 40 meter band endorsement for my Centurion award.  I publish the official newsletter for the club, The SKCC Centurion. Check us out and join the fun http://www.skccgroup.com .

APRS users can often fine me as KJ7BS-9 while mobile and KJ7BS-8 when camping.  I belong to Arizona Amateur Radio Campers (AARC), an informal gorup of Arizona hams who get together for camping trips that often involve amateur radio.  Most all of the group operate APRS and it is nice to see where the others are when traveling.

I've recently taken an interest in digital modes.  In the mid 90s I operated RTTY using an MFJ-1278BT TNC interfaced to my TS-850S/AT for FSK, but I have not done that in over 10 years.  I still have the TNC and the TS-850S/AT is still my main station radio.  What a difference 10 years can make, sound card AFSK for all digital modes.  Now that's exciting!  I have a Signalink USB interfaced to my TS-850S/AT and run Ham Radio Deluxe + Digigal Master 780 (HRD + DM780) and am active on 20 and 40 meter PSK.

QSL via eQSL or LoTW unless you QSL using one of the following:

Direct with SASE
FISTS QSL Bureau
SKCC QSL Bureau
ARRL Bureau

Mark Saunders, KJ7BS
Glendale, AZ