Indirectly I was inspired by my father N6SV, (formerly W6ONV) Glen Rattmann, K6NA and Jim Rafferty, N6RJ. During the 70s and 80s they would call 'CQ' from my father's ham shack (QTH - Poway, CA) late into the night and early hours of the morning. Being a youngster I really had no idea what all those switches and knobs did. Looking back on their hobby, I wish would have taken a more vested interest.

As I got older my father slowly got out of the hobby, although he is still licensed as N6SV, he has not called 'CQ' in years. In 1995 I took the test for Technician in Arlington, Texas and was successful. The FCC licensed me, KC5NWR. While I did not have a 2m radio or any other radio to use my license sat idle until 2003, when I was given my father's old Kenwood TR-7600 2m transceiver complete with the DC power supply and the remote.

When I moved to Northern California I joined the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club, I also bought a Kenwood Th-F6A HT and began listening in on 147.060. I regularly attended meetings for a few years trying to find a niche I could get involved in.

When my license came up for renewal in 2005, I decided to look for my father's old call sign, W6ONV. I was surprised when I found it was not assigned and submitted an application for it. The new call sign (vanity) was granted April, 2005.

After doing some research I bought a Hustler 6-BTV and erected it my backyard (50'x100' lot). I also bought an ICOM IC-718. I currently have the vertical ground mounted with 46 radials of varying length on a radial plate and a tile-base from DX Engineering. I regularly call CQ on PSK31 (20m & 40m), as well as RTTY, CW and SSB. I started participating in some of the contests at the end of 2008 and look forward to hopefully getting more involved in the coming year.

In February, 2009 I upgraded my rig and bought a used Yaesu FT-1000MP. A month later after talking with my father I found out he still had his two linear amplifiers, a Heathkit SB-220 and a Alpha 76PA. After shipping the Alpha to N4UQ to be upgraded and repaired it has since been added to the station.

In 2007 I started getting more involved learning ATV (through MDARC, thanks KG6CZX), as I have a transmitter and both a receive and transmit antenna. Thankfully there is a very dedicated and knowledgeable group of ATV members here in NoCal that always want to help. Due to PAVE-PAWS issue with the local repeater, I have not upgraded my hardware in order to continue at this time with ATV.

I passed the Element 4 exam in June 2008 as was awarded my Amateur Extra license. I knew the FCC removed the Element 1 requirement, but I was surprised to find out it was not even offered at my testing session at MDARC. I have continued my study and learn Morse code, now that I have my Amateur Extra license. I recently bought a Vibroplex Square Racer and have started practicing sending and receiving CW on 20m and 40m on a nightly basis.

In lieu of the code exam, I downloaded the ARRL/VEC paperwork and was accredited as an ARRL VE in June, hopefully I can start helping my local club administer exams to current and potential hams.

Near the end of 2008 I participated in my first contest, the Czech Radio Club sponsored OK DX RTTY Contest. While my attempt was not in a serious contesting vein, I enjoyed the time I worked. I was chasing the WAS and thought this was a great opportunity to add to the outstanding states I had not worked. A month later I participated in the 2008 RAC Winter Contest from home and the local "big gun" station, N6RO or "Radio Oakley."

It was during this contest I wanted to get more actively involved in contesting, both on the individual side and club side. I joined the Northern California Contest Club prior to the ARRL RTTY Roundup, participating in practice sessions leading up the event at N6RO. While my operating time was limited during the contest because of my schedule I did set personal goals for the contest I wanted to achieve for the upcoming year.

I do have a webcam on my site, The 6th Floor as well as streaming video at w6onv.camstreams.com when I am at the rig. You can also see if I have confirmed you in my log courtesy of HRDlog.net.

On the personal side, I am currently employed by Bay Area Rapid Transit District as a Train Controller, working out of the Operations Control Center in downtown Oakland, California. Previous to that I spent 11 years with United Airlines, unfortunately the airlines continued to struggle and the future was not looking good, so I made the move to BART in 2006.

Currently I call Oakley, CA my QTH (CM98ka) and I am married, but she hates it when I refer to her as the "XYL" (name is Christal). We do have a young ham, very young named Zachary. I am still trying to teach him Morse Code. At 3 years old, he knows the letters 'D', 'E' and 'T'. He also loves to run around saying "CQ" and "DX" into any mic he can get a hold of.

When I am not on air, I spend time raising my son, playing Xbox 360, restoring a 1968 Mercury Cougar watching as much footie (soccer to Americans) from Italy and England, while playing goalkeeper on an indoor and outdoor soccer team locally. With any luck I should have the Cougar completed by the time my son learns to drive.