First, I am a Christian, which means Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour - I have a Christian blog here http://ny4jb.wordpress.com/ .

QSL Information

Please don't waste time/paper/money sending a paper card, I prefer eQSL and don't need paper cards. I EQSL 100% but if you need a paper card let me know and I will be glad to oblige (if we work on a 3905, OMISS or NATA NET I QSL 100% via the bureaus, if you're not good in the bureau I figure you're just out of envelopes or don't need the card so I hold the card until you are good again or I get an sase from you). I am good in the NATA and OMISS bureaus but please don't feel obliged to send a paper card, I'm good with EQSL. For 3905CCN and others who want to work State Capitals; I am within Metro-Nashville which qualifies for Capital City status as per 3905CCN rules and will indicate as such on a card for the nets and other contacts who request a paper card.

LOTW - I have given up on LOTW, it's just too much of a hassle and I don't have any use for it.

By the way the picture above is of me with my grandkids after a day at the zoo.

I am an ARRL Life member and VE, I made Amateur Extra (including 20 wpm CW) in September 1999! I am a member of the Straight Key Century Club but have to admit my CW is poor due to lack of practice but in 2012 I am trying to improve this - if you work me CW thanks for your patience and understanding : )

After 16 years of being KE4JUH, I have taken a vanity call to get a shorter call and something with some personal relevance. I grew up in NY, live in 4-land and my initials are JB so NY4JB. With the call sign change I've added another goal, QRP WAS using my Ten Tec Argonaut and its big two-watt signal, I'm not setting a time or band limit for that one. I have had the Argonaut since 1996 (possibly before that) and am always amazed at the reports I get. I have hooked it up to a watt-meter and yes it only can put out two watts, isn't radio like magic! I usually run portable as ignition noise is a real problem mobile; one day I'll take the time to fix it right. I recently bought a 31' kite-pole so I can use a full size vertical but I still have some work to do so for now I'll just use the 'ham stick' type of antenna on 20, 40 and if I get brave 80. I hold QRPARCI 1000 Miles per Watt Certificate #2129 (SSB#432) for a 4866 Mile QSO on 20 Meters with 2 Watts (2433 Miles per Watt).

About my Transmit Audio: my audio may sound a bit harsh or overdriven but that is intentional as I run an RF Clipper that boosts the average level by about 6DB and filters it down to the proper width for SSB use. This prevents splatter while allowing my 100 watts to compete against more powerful stations and QRM/N. Please note the setup of the clipper is rather important and I've tested my signal using both local and remote receivers to make sure it's not causing QRM so don't try to do this by just cranking the mic gain, it just won't work and will cause problems for everyone.

I currently don't use feedlines at the home QTH, but when I do I normally favor ladder line and only use coax for resonant antennas. Here's a shot of how I currently feed my antennas and one of my shack - it's hard to tell but that is an upstairs room.

I am a member of the Tennessee Contest Group, if you haven't tried contesting you really should it is a lot of fun. In 2010 I finally joined the YLISSB System, my sidebandnumber is 16504, this is one of the most friendly groups of hams and can be found everyday on 14.332 MHz. I have used the system many times to get radio checks since I know there's always somebody on frequency. I've also joined OMISS #7081 which has been a great help in my quest for WAS. NAQCC # 4283 - I've been working really hard on my Morse using Morse Runner and have now played in a couple of CW contests, I still can't copy conversational CW without writing down every letter and then reading it after but I'm OK on contest exchanges.

I love Contesting, DX, QRP and wire antennas and try to get on the air with my Ten Tec rigs when I have free time :) 73 -jim