Portable operations

Washington Island, Wisconsin (map) 

Washington Island is 80 miles north-east of Green Bay, WI, in Lake Michigan. There is only one active ham who lives permanently on the island, and a few seasonal operators including myself. This makes the island a rare grid location (EN65). The island's USIA designation is WI001L. Following are the dates of my island activation, operating as KC9GLI/9/QRP in digital modes and KC9GLI/9/P on phone. When on phone I run about 50W on an Icom 706 MK II. The portable station is shown in the picture to the right.

Following are the dates of activating the island. For QSL cards, please use the Chicago address above.

• From 25 MAR 17 through 01 APR 17.
• From 04 NOV 16 through 20 NOV 16.
• From 08 OCT 16 through 11 OCT 16.
• From 12 JUL 16 through 25 JUL 16.
• From 11 SEP 14 through 03 NOV 14.
• From 30 AUG 14 through 05 SEP 14.
• From 03 JUL 14 through 07 JUL 14.

 

Equipment information

In 1980 I got an Icom 730 and I have been using Icom radios ever since. I still have the 730 and use it from time to time. The main rig for the station is a 756 Pro III, with a 746 as a backup. For portable operations I use a 706 MK II. For local repeaters and UHF/VHF I have an Icom 2820H in the car, and a couple 2720s. 

Antennae include an EndFedz EF Quad, an MFJ G5RV, an EndFedz 10/20/40, and a dual band GP-1 for VHF/UHF. The interfaces for digital modes are a RigBlast Pro and a microKeyer II; the software is HRD 6.

In the past I've used an AV640 and a K4KIO Hexbeam and I can't say enough good things about either antenna.

Short QSOs in digital modes

As a matter of principle, I do not use macros to broadcast information about my station equipment or other gratuitous details such as software version and release numbers; such information has no relevance or bearing in radio propagation and contact. In my opinion, brag macros are bad practice, and I just don't use them. 

QRP operations

When I operate /QRP, I run 5 Watts or less. This may sound obvious and yet during many QSOs  I am asked how much power I run. QRP means 5-10 Watts or less.

QSL information

The new design for the QSL cards is shown to the right. The design is suitable both for the permanent QTH and portable stations, featuring photos from Chicago and Washington Island.

As some of you will undoubtedly notice, the QSL card contains a minor print error. The caption on the back side mentions a photograph of Willis (formerly Sears) tower and the Chicago skyline. In fact, the card has a photograph of the Chicago Harbour Light. I changed the photo but forgot to change the caption!

Paper QSL cards are welcome and will be responded to in the same manner received (directly or through the bureau). No SASE/IRC is required. If you expect a QSL card from me and you do not receive it after a reasonable period of time, please email me.

For digital QSLs I use only LOTW.

Operator information

Born in 1967, my first license was a SV7 callsign back in the 1980s. In 2004 I returned to the hobby as KC9GLI. I work in higher education, and I've been a university professor, dean, and provost. My background is in Physics and Computer Engineering. I attended Colorado State and Miami University. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, photography, reading, sailing, diving, and of course ham radio. I live in Chicago with my partner Sarah and our three rescue dogs: Martin the Plott Hound, Lara the Border Collie, and Obi the Shiba Inu.

Membership and Awards