My given first name is William but in life and on the air I go by Bill.
I have been a licensed ham since 1961. I am primarily interested in working DX on 80 through 6 meters. I normally operate CW, and RTTY. On rare occasions I will get on 6-meter SSB when there is an opening.
This is my current equipment list (the stuff I'm actually using):
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IC-7800
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IC-PW1 amplifier
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Steppir DB-36 beam
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Orion rotator
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80 feet of Rohn 55
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Green Heron rotator controller
I want to thank all those that have helped me over the years, especially my elmers W7EML Nick, W7ANI Mel (sk), W7FQB Chuck (sk), and K7IQI Ken. They all spent lots of time encouraging and helping me get my CW up to 5 WPM so I could take the Novice test!
I believe the final courtesy of a QSO is a QSL. I try to send a QSL to every DX station the first time I have the pleasure of working them. That usually means the card will come via the buro.
I QSL direct for new countries (328 of 340 confirmed).
Since an E-QSL does not count for awards and I can't hang it on the wall I do not use E-QSL. Please do not send a card that way.
I love the paddle that is pictured below. It is the best one I have ever used by far. It was made in Russia. Their model number is CT 599MX. As I am writing this it is $149.00. I have no connection to their company other than I am a very happy user. Here is a link to their web site: http://www.ur5cdx.com/index.php?currency=USD&language=en
I have my newest QSLs printed by UX5UO http://www.ux5uoqsl.com/index.php?lang=en&page=products . It has full color pictures on both sides. I just (12 Oct 2012) received a shipment of 2000 cards and it cost me $165 including the shipping to the US. From my payment to receiving the cards took 17 days. The quality is fantastic as you will see if you work me and receive a card. Again I have no connection with this company other than being a happy customer.
There have been two Grid Squares associated with my call. The good one is CN97ap. The bad one is CN87. I have a PO box in Redmond, WA that is used for all my mail and then a physical address where I live and where my station is located. Since my license was mailed to me at the Redmond address everyone picked up the CN87 grid square. My house and station are located in grid square CN97ap. When I was first licensed years ago I did not care about grid squares and therefore never checked to see that mine was correct. Now that I am on 6-meters I suddenly care. I have corrected the problem when I know about it and can change it.
I look forward to having QSOs with you in the future.
73,
Bill
