I was first licensed on June 13, 1969 as WB4NMA, Technician Class. Ernest Church, W4DWE, (SK 2006) administered my code test. My main interest was operating on 6 meters, so I purchased a Swan 250 to be my first ham radio. The Swan can be seen in the background of the picture. The other rig in the picture is a Knight Kit TR108, 2 meter AM/CW radio. At the time the picture was taken (1970), I was living with my parents in Gainesville, Georgia. Several years later I upgraded to General class and then to Advance and Extra. I was Advance for only 1 week and dropped the old WB4NMA call for AB4RU. I moved to Banks County, Georgia about 1988. After the vanity call sign program started, I was able to get my uncles call sign, W4WA in 1996. George was apparently the original holder of W4WA.

I am currently operational on 50, 144, 222, 432, 902, 1296 2304 mhz and 10 Ghz portable. Please drop me an e-mail for skeds at w4wa@windstream.net. 

Awards:

Over 60 contest award certificates and 14 plaques. (50Mhz DXCC #564) (160M DXCC #460) (HF DXCC 24,544) (50MHZ WAC Jan 1982) (50MHZ VUCC #26) (50MHZ WAS #395) (144MHZ VUCC #6) (160M WAS #460 same number as DXCC) (5BWAS #2574)

Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/ron.hooper.391