Hello to all. My Mother called all her children by their middle name and mine is David. I've been licensed for 56 years now and turned 74 in March 2017. I am a retired Communications Engineer and in 1984 I retired from the USAF after 20 years service. My last assignment was with the SR-71 Blackbird shown on my card, maintaining the communications systems.

I've never had a tower or a beam as I've always used wire antennas or a Butternut HF-9V vertical. Worked lots of DX from atop Candlers Mountain. I am using a Yaesu FT-450D, Alpha-Delta DX-CC 5 Band Dipole up about 50 feet, and an MFJ-464 CW Keyer/Reader. I like CW and have passed the old 13 wpm Code Exam, but my old age fails me to use a key or copy by ear. Wish I could but I'm doing the best I can these days. New station photo just below.

I have operated several different time periods using my present call W9CTJ which is also my original call in 1961. Also have been licensed as AJ4FM, W9MIT, W6MKA, W0IHR. If you need confirmation for any past QSO, please send your card with the QSO information and only an SAE and I will send you back my QSL. All past logs have been uploaded to LoTW. Below are some of my stations over the years. Many more have I used, but unfortunately I don't have any pictures to upload.

I am an ARRL Card Checker plus Volunteer Examiner. If you need cards checked for any ARRL award please contact me at the e-mail address or phone that are listed on the ARRL web site under DXCC to make arrangements.

I have enjoyed all facets of this hobby. Working on all bands 160M thru 900 MHz, AM, FM, SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31 & JT65, but at my age and all that goes with getting older I have decided to cut back a little and spend more time with the family while I can.

Thanks to all that have helped me to get started, the many hams I've had the opportunity to meet and especially all the folks that I've worked over these many years. Ham Radio is still fun and after all these years I still learn something new from it.

Cheers and 73, 88 to all,

David W9CTJ

Current station, Yaesu FT-450D, and MFJ-464 CW Keyer/Reader. Antenna is an Alpha-Delta DX-CC 5 band dipole up @ 50 feet.

My old AM station when I had my W6MKA call. Johnson Valiant, National NC-183D with Heath GD-125 Q-Multiplier, Heathkit HD-10 calibrator, Yeasu YS-60 power/swr meter, RME DB-23 preselector, Multi-Elmac PMR-8 receiver, Hallicrafters SX-62A SWL receiver and just behind me is the Multi-Elmac AF-68 AM transmitter.  circa: 1998.  I still have the grey hair, but have lost the "air bag".

 

The old W9CTJ SSB and AM station circa 2001. Top shelf Hunter Bandit 2000B, Collins KWM-380, Yaesu YS-60 power/SWR  meter. Heath HD10 Calibrator,  Heath HO10 monitor scope, Timewave DSP 599zx, and Ameco PCL-p cascode nuvistor HF preamp all  used with the AM station.

Bottom: Collins 30L-1, KWM-2A, and 75S-1 for operating split, Electro-Voice 664 microphone for SSB. Johnson Valiant, National NC-183D and a Radio Shack microphone for AM.

 

Prior W9CTJ station:  Drake R-4c and T-4Xc Vintage gear, Yaesu SP-6, FT-1000D with microHAM USB III PC interface. The clock is a common Swedish type that I got as a gift from SM4DHF in 1993. Some of the awards I've earned are hanging on the wall, but I ran out of space to hang them all. There are now 9 DXCC awards plus CQ DX RTTY, WAZ and A-1 Operator Club certificates.

First Licensed in 1961 as W9CTJ.
Other calls: W0IHR, W6MKA, W9MIT, AJ4FM, G5WDD.
Retired USAF 1984. Retired Communications Engineer 2005.
A-1 Operator Club, All Africa Award, Mixed.
DXCC Mixed 291, CW 180, Phone 230, RTTY 208.
40M 117, 20M 246, 17M 119, 15M 128, 12M 128.
WAC Mixed, Phone, CW, RTTY & 5BWAC.
WAS Basic, Phone, CW, RTTY & 20M.
WAZ Mixed, WPX Mixed 1500, CQ DX RTTY 150.
IARU Region 1, 2 & 3 Awards, IARU 90 Award.
SARTG RTTY w/ Bronze & Silver Ribbons.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, David