Amateur Radio Background...

I first became licensed as WN5VMZ in 1976 at the age of 14... a few months later I was issued WB5VMZ when the FCC discontinued the practice of using "WN" prefixes to denote Novice class licensees. About four years later I was issued callsign KE5V when I upgraded to Extra class. In 1996 I changed the callsign to W5FGD which was previously held by my "elmer" - JB Hopkins of Houston, Texas - who became a silent key in 1985. My current callsign was issued on 3-7-09. 

Home Station Equipment... 

My primary HF station consists of a Kenwood TS-480HX and a Heathkit SB-221 amplifier. Antennas for 75 and 40 meters are separate coaxial fed 1/2 wave inverted vees. On 30 meters I use a 1/2 wave sloping dipole, and on 20, 15 and 10 meters a rotatable triband dipole which is 50' high. For 2 meter FM I'm using an Icom IC-28A connected to a dual band Comet brand omni-directional antenna. My 70 cm FM rig is a Ritron RPM-450 commercial band radio tuned to the amateur band feeding the dual band Comet which is mounted on top of the tower at the 50' level.

Mobile Station Equipment...

The mobile setup consists of a Kenwood TS-50s and separate Hamstick mobile antennas for each band.

Occupation...

I have been a career firefighter since 1981. For 24 years I served in the ranks of the Jonesboro, Arkansas Fire Department. Then in 2005 I retired as Fire Chief from JFD and relocated to Ponca City, Oklahoma to become Fire Chief of the Ponca City Fire Department where I am currently employed.

Academics...

 Alumni - Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas

        Go Red Wolves...!!!

• BSE Social Science
• Masters of Public Adminstration

 73's... Butch