Hi, my name is Jacob.

I live in Driel, the Netherlands, together with my spouse Pascale and daughter Dide.

My first attempt to get a Ham license dates back 30 years when I was active in the Young Scientists Association, and had a couple of HAM friends there. During my time in the Royal Dutch Army, I had study privileges, and took a course in radio technology. When I left the army, the study privileges were of course withdrawn and I stopped following the course.

Since then I am trained as a mechanical and industrial automation engineer. I have worked for years with off-line programmed robotic manufacturing systems. Since 2005, I run a small company that produces radio-frequency identification (RFID) equipment. This sparked my interest in the radio-hobby again, and when one of my Young Scientist friend got his license, I decided to give it another try.

I passed my F-license exam in September 2012, and started HAMming happily.

My first rig was a dual-band Waccom HT, good enough to reach the local repeaters on 2m and 70 cm. I have bought a used Yaesu FT-857D, which I think is great, but I need to build some proper antennae for it. I work with a very simple 1/4 wave GP and a 1/2 wave dipole on 2m, and I'm building a copper pipe J-pole. I am also assembling a small dual frequency yagi. Meanwhile there's an G5RVjr. I have already moved it from the attic to a place outside, but it is too low, and the western direction is shielded by my own house.

I have recently picked up Digital modes, and I like it because it is easier to cover large distances. I do have a CAT-interface between my rig and a PC, and I made an audio interface with a piece of cable, some connectors and a $2,--. USB soundcard from DealeXtreme.com. It works fine!I have reports from Sydney,even with my incomplete antenna!

I hope to meet you on the waves,I will make time for a longer QSO if you wish, and I adore paperQSL cards.