Thanks for looking up my call: KJ6VX

I started my shortwave radio interest by building a Knight Kit Spanmaster Receiver in Junior High School followed by Knight Kit R100A Receiver in High School. I also built a Heathkit DX-60B Transmitter. My first antenna was a Hygain 14AVQ 40-10 meter vertical antenna. I was a member of the Electronics Illustrated Shortwave Club. Unfortunately I did not persue a ham license until I was in the Navy.

First licensed as WN0JBL in 1973 at club station K5TYP at Keesler AFB Ham Radio Club , Boloxi, MS

Operated as a Novice in 1973 at club station KL7AIZ at Naval Communications Station, Clam Lagoon, Adak, Alaska. I was a CTM in Naval Security Group. I am a member of Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association (www.usncva.org)

Obtained new Novice license as WB0UEI in 1976. Upgraded to Technician Class in 1978 and operated at club station W0HSC while at North Dakota State University at Fargo, ND.

Former member of Detroit Lakes Amateur Radio Club in late 1970s.

Changed callsign to N6FNF in 1982 in San Diego, CA.

Upgraded to Advanced Class in 1986. Changed callsign to KJ6VX in 1989.

I enjoy VHF and HF packet radio, 2 meter FM, HF SSB and operating the PC with my radios. In 2007 I figured out how to use Echolink as KJ6VX.

My XYL exiled my ham radio activities to the garage some years ago. I resurrected my shack in 2009 with a new antenna seen above. I use a HF Kenwood TS-430S, 2 meter Kenwood TS-700S and a 2 meter ICOM 255A. I operate on the "cheap" side and utilize all "old" gear as much as possible.

I tried 2 meter SSB  using the TS-700S this year, bought a 2 meter brick amplifier and plan on building a home brew yagi for 2 meter weak signal work.

In 2012 I finally finished my homebrew computer interface and had my first contacts on PSK31.  I discovered I can interface my old Dell Pentium 3 with my HF SSB Radio. I started off using a AEA PK232 in the 1980s.SSB

I retired as a electronics engineer in 2007 after 32 years with the U. S. Navy. My last employment was as a Supervisory General Engineer at the Navy Primary Standards Laboratory (NPSL), NAVAIR In-Service Engineering, Naval Base Coronado. Prior to that I worked 19 years "on the bench" as a microwave metrologist at NPSL. I was named an Associate Fellow of the Naval Air Systems Command in 2003 and a Senior Member of the IEEE in 1999.

Some of my favorite people have been hams: W0EQT Clayton Ormbreck, W0EMZ Carl Mann, W0QQK Gordy Fevig and W0RRW Ernie Anderson.

Growing up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota I had the priviledge of having Laurel "Ozzie" Aasgaard as a neighbor. Laurel operated a radio servicing shop in his mobile van. He had a great infulence on me continuing in radio and electronics in the Navy.

73,

Jim