I am a fairly new to amateur radio, having received my basic license for VHF/UHF in the winter of 1999, and my advanced and code in the fall of 2000.

At present my station consists of a Yaseu FT-847, an Explorer 14 quad-bander,(40, 20, 15, & 10) at 50 feet, 17 el 2M beam at 55 feet, a 80M wire dipole, and a 2M/70cm Arrow about 45 feet high. There is also an APRS beacon if you want to find my exact QTH.

I'm also active mobile as VA3XEM in my RV setup, on both 2m/70cm, and HF, with a Yaesu FT-857 into a Comet SBB-7 and an ATAS 120. There is also a Radio Shack rig beaconing APRS continually. Search VA3XEM on aprs.fi to see where I am today! I usually monitor 146.52 while travelling away from home.

I am developing an interest in VHF/UHF weak signal work, and I am also active on 2 meters FM locally here in the Ottawa, Canada area, usually on the VE3MPC repeater. (147.150 MHz) Drop in Thursday nights at 20:00 for the Phoenix Net, which I host.

My interest in amateur radio was sparked as a teenager in the sixties, by VE3DJZ who lived down the street from me. Although I have always had a shortwave receiver, it took 35 years to get my license!