KK5R -- Former calls: WB4DPG, WB5QGI
Extra Class 40+ Years
OMISS # 6452
NOTE: For QSL mailings please use PO Box only as follows:
BOB LUNSFORD — KK5R
PO BOX 606
SALYERSVILLE KY 41465-0606
General Background:
Started studying electronics in 1955
Mayo State Vocational and Technical School (Radio & TV)
Lexington Technical Institute (part of the University of KY)
University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY
American Technological University/Central Texas College in Killeen, TX
FCC Licensed Broadcast Engineer (First Class Radiotelephone,
now General Radiotelephone:PG1023110 date converted 03/04/1987)
Could have been licensed in 1959 when living in Brazil, with the help of PY8GD and PY8GN (both SK), but thought that if I could not afford a rig, why have the license? They knew I was already a radio technician and had attended three code schools. But it is always easy to look back with regrets. If I had at least received the Brazilian license, I could have been on the air sooner and maybe now an "old" oldtimer. Well, it's a thought, anyway.
Lived in Brazil and Peru (son of a missionary on the Amazon) and also in Panama for about six months. Attended three Morse code schools (two in Brazil and one in Peru). Returned to USA in December, 1961 and joined US Army in 1962 as an ASA Morse Intercept Operator, attaining 28WPM and qualifying for the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in half the alloted time for the course. However, then came a need for Spanish linguists in the Army and was transferred to a language pool to be a Portuguese and Spanish translator/interpreter for remaining time of 3-year Army tour. Still fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and can get lost and found again in French. Of course, I will always have a great interest in foreign languages.
Retired from the US Government after 31 years of service. Last duty was as a Telecommunications Specialist/Engineer for the Television-Audio Support Activity (T-ASA) in Sacramento but that organization has since relocated to Southern California.
Returned from China in 2007 after living there for over four years. Was an English teacher at a large university for two years and at a private school for remainder of time there. Plan to return someday.
Some Places Worked:
IBM Engineering Development Laboratory, Office Products Division
University of KY Physics Department Electronics Shop
US Government as electronic technician, equipment specialist, telecommunications specialist and telecommunications engineer. Worked in systems and production engineering, engineering prototyping and design, five years CAD experience, procuring and setting up computer systems for other government organizations, programming satellite transponders and installing English Language Laboratories in other countries through US Embassies. Duties took me to over 53 countries.
After retirement, I went to China to teach English for four years and returned to Kentucky in 2007. Will be here at least for a while. Still have hopes of either going back to China to teach or moving to Texas, if that doesn't come about.
Hobbies (including Ham Radio):
Hobbies include photography, flying, writing books and magazine articles and some other hobbies but Amateur Radio remains the most-liked. Antenna experimentation is the main adventure, HF is the name of the game. The present goal is to establish regular skeds with son (N5DIM) in Sacramento. This is why more antenna work is in the forecast.
What's happening today:
Station consists of a Yaesu FT-450AT and an MFJ 948 antenna tuner which is seldom used to tune an antenna since I have a B&W TTFD antenna that requires no tuning. The FT-450 drives a Dentron Clipperton L HF Amplifier when 100W is not enough.
I also have an MFJ-9440 40M QRP SSB rig that is dedicated to portable and/or mobile use. Plan to make up a tuner and portable antenna and try out a few hilltops in the area. Already have a battery for the adventure. There are plenty of hilltops in this area.
Just got an HTX-100 10M CW/SSB rig, mostly for mobile use. First contact was with PU1CWP in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil (4882 miles) from the home antenna. Second contact was mobile with a ham in Puerto Rico operating a Portable W1AW Centenial station. Lots of fun... I like the way the radio tunes, much better than the older Radio Shack 10M rig I used to have. It's a keeper. Got a CB antenna and unwound enough turns from the top to make it resonate on 10M but plan to get a slim hamstick for the big 5-in. magnet mount that I got recently. Being on top of the car should make it better but need an antenna with less windload.
I also have an FT-2800M on 2M and usually monitor 52S for emergency needs of anyone passing through. I struggle with a low 2M antenna, though, which is inherent with living in one of the lowest places in the area. Being in a hole sorta puts the crimp on VHF activity. In fact, being below average terrain here puts my 2M antenna at the road level. Have to find a way to give my homebrew 2M J-Pole more elevation. The 2M antenna mast has to be raised...
Antennas are a GAP Titan and a B&W folded dipole (TTFD) antenna at 35-ft. The B&W is the most-used as it gives full coverage on all bands from 80M thru 10M resulting in no tune-up when changing bands/frequencies; 160M and 6M (50.125 MHz) are near 3:1 SWR and are worked with the automatic tuner in the 450AT. The B&W antenna usually does not show pronounced directivity on HF and has much better signal-to-noise reception. If I can hear them, the DX can usually hear me unless my meager signal is covered up by "legal" powered hams or those with monster antennas sticking up in the air about a half mile.
Now in the process of trying out a WA2NAN G5RV Junior antenna purchased from a ham listing on qrz.com and it was never used before, from all appearances. It works without a tuner on 40M and 20M and seems to work on 6M but cannot know for sure until the band opens up. As a receiving antenna, however, it works great! All bands, even on AM broadcast band and Longwave. More on this later...
Having a ball but too much DX has already slipped by! Have to get back to the mike and, hopefully soon, back to the key with equal determination. Not too much later, either.
