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My Grandfather, Carl Worrick (the original W8FGU), got me interested in Ham
radio when I was youngster in the late 60's and early 70's. I did some research
and found out that he got his ticket sometime in the fall of 1932. He would sit
me down in his shack and teach me basic electronics and explain how all
"those things" in his shack worked. We built crystal radios and code
oscillators. Our intent was to get my Novice ticket when I became a teenager.
Unfortunately, he passed away before I could get my ticket. My interests
changed in my teens to cars, girls and rock-n-roll, but it did inspire me to go
to school for electronics and led to a 16 year career in the computer IT
business.
I made a huge career change in 2000 and noticed a technical void in my life and
began researching Ham radio once again. My primary focus was to get on HF and
operate CW. So, I began studying for my ticket and started building my Elecraft
K2/100 transceiver. I tested and passed the Morse code, Tech and General
elements in March, 2006 and then went back and got my Extra in May. I then
applied for the vanity call W8FGU that much to my surprise was still available.
I continued building my rig and putting the shack together over the spring and
summer. I finally got on the air on September, 2nd 2006 as W8FGU and made my
first CW contact on 40m with Rick, K4UFS who was gracious enough to put up with
my brand new fist and get my first entry into the log book. I am very proud to
have my Grandfather's call back on the air.
All of my activity so far has been sloooow CW on mostly 40 meters with a couple
of contacts on 30 meters. I've been having a blast operating CW and learning
the ropes. Everyone I've met on the air has been great and very encouraging.
I continue to add other kits to my shack and have found the building and
testing process very rewarding. It is a great educational process that gets me
intimately familiar with my equipment allowing me to modify and service them
when required. My shack is in a room in the basement along side some of my
other hobbies. My wife has allowed the occupation of the basement and garage
for my stuff, while she gets the rest of the house. It seems to work well for
the both of us (and our dog).
I'm a firefighter/paramedic and a line officer (read firefighter babysitter :-)
by trade for a medium sized fire department in a southern suburb of Detroit. My
wife is a nurse for Children's Hospital of Detroit. (You can just imagine the
dinner conversation). I like to get on the air, usually on 40m, after my shift
ends at 07:00 or in the afternoon. But I'm still playing around with different
times and bands, trying to get a handle on things :-)
I QSL direct for now. Hope to work you soon - QRS ;-)
Take care and 73,
Dave, W8FGU Elecraft K2/100 #5099
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