I was first licensed as KC8NGY in October 1999 at the age of 14. I upgraded to Extra in April 2000 and received the call AB8HM in June of that year. Later that year, I applied for the callsign N8HM. My station at that time consisted of a Kenwood TS-440S/AT and an MFJ-1798 80m-2m vertical antenna. I worked over 150 DXCC entities with that setup, but my interest in ham radio drifted somewhat and I was mostly inactive from 2002 through 2011.

In November 2010, I moved to a studio apartment with a balcony in Washington, DC. I realized that the balcony would be perfect for getting back on the air and purchased a Yaesu FT-817ND. I had always loved the idea of a virtually handheld sized DC-to-Daylight rig since it's introduction in 2000 and finally purchased it.

All QSOs from December 2011 through February 2012 were made with the Yaesu FT-817ND, a SignaLink USB, and an AlexLoop Walkham Portable Magnetic Loop Antenna that works on 40m-10m. After spending a year 100% QRP and achieving QRP DXCC with that setup, I decided to go back to higher power. I purchased an MFJ-1786 magnetic loop (as the AlexLoop only handles up to 20 watts) and took the Kenwood TS-440S/AT out of storage. Unfortunately, my trusty old TS-440S/AT died in October 2012 and was replaced with a Yaesu FT-450D.

Current station at N8HM - Top left: SignaLink USB Digital Interface, Bottom left: MFJ-1786 Super Hi-Q Loop Remote Control, Center: Yaesu FT-450D HF/50MHz Transceiver

MFJ-1786 Super Hi-Q Loop mounted on an MFJ-1918 tripod on my balcony.

View from the street of MFJ-1786 Super Hi-Q Loop mounted on an MFJ-1918 tripod on my balcony.

The antenna is lowered when not in use.

My main ham radio interests are HF DXing and contesting. I also enjoy VHF and satellite operation. With this station, I have worked all 50 states and 145 DXCC entities (106 QRP). My main modes of operation are RTTY, JT65, and PSK31. I also operate in SSB contests and a few CW contests.

My six meter antenna is a Blue Collar Ants Model 6 Magnetic Loop.

My satellite equipment consists of a Yaesu FT-817ND (used as the uplink transmitter), a Kenwood TH-F6A HT (the HT features an all-mode receiver that I use as the downlink receiver), and an Arrow 146/437-10WBP handheld satellite yagi. I am still getting the hang of satellite operation, so please bear with me.

Check out my blog at http://n8hm.blogspot.com/

I QSL 100% via eQSL.cc, LoTW, and the QRZ.com Logbook. I will also respond to 100% of paper QSL requests received. If I worked you from an old QTH between January 2001 and December 2010, I will key in and upload that log to eQSL and LoTW as soon as I retrieve it.

Hope to work you soon. 73!

Awards: