I upload to eQSL and LoTW fairly often.  Occasionally to QRZ.com or by request.  If you are in my log, then I am happy to receive your direct QSL card and send my direct QSL card to you.  I use the Global QSL Service for outgoing bureau QSLs.  I work approximately 70% CW, 27% SSB, and 3% other modes.

Please note that we have a separate QRZ page for mobile operations and county hunting at https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UP/M

Operating Philosophy

I believe that every QSO has value, whether it is a short contest or DX exchange or a lengthy conversation with a neighbor. For me, ham radio is about goodwill, courtesy, and consideration. I enjoy learning about other people, places, and cultures, and my three means of doing that are amateur radio, reading, and traveling. So while I like collecting new band-and-mode countries and new prefixes, I still value every QSO. I confirm all valid QSLs and upload to eQSL and LoTW usually once a day.

---

Human Nature and Radiosport Diversity

I really don't understand human nature.  It seems to me that amateur radio or radiosport offers a diverse spectrum of activities, from hardware/software development and testing, emergency preparedness, portable and mobile operations, etc., to various operating activities, e.g., casual QSOs, county hunting, DX, nets, contests, etc., not to mention a variety of bands and modes.  Some like some activities and not others, but why disparage people whose interests are different from one's own?  That I do not understand.

I enjoy quick-short exchange contacts ( county hunting, contests, DX ) but I also enjoy casual conversations and checking in to nets.  I don't have a problem with people who like one activity to the exclusion of others, but I do have a problem with people who disparage other people or activities just because they are different from one's own interests.  If you don't see the value in something, that is okay, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't have any value to others.

Granted there are some poor and inconsiderate operators, but that is no reason to disparage anyone else involved in the activity.  I have found most people engaged in contests ( DX ) ( nets ) ( whatever ) to be courteous and considerate.  When I encounter someone who is not courteous or considerate, I simply spin the dial and try somewhere else.  And when there is a big contest, either I join in or I go somewhere else ( band-mode changes are easy ).  It is not hard to do.

---

Countries and Prefixes --- Updated July 23, 2017

I have only been collecting countries and prefixes since I came back on the air in May, 2012, but since then I have 288 countries ( mixed ), 264 on CW ( with over 100 countries on each of 7 bands, 10-12-15-17-20-30-40 meters ), 229 on SSB ( with over 100 countries on each of 5 bands, 10-12-15-17-20 meters ), 77 on RTTY ( new to RTTY ), and 22 on FM.  If I include my early years then I also have 7 countries on AM, and 1 on DSB ( Double Sideband ).

Most recent new countries --- Timor-Leste ( CW ), Mayotte ( CW ), Chatham Is. ( CW and RTTY ), Central African Republic ( CW and SSB ), Solomon Is. ( CW ), Niger ( CW ), Libya ( CW ), Central Kiribati ( SSB ), Pitcairn Is. ( SSB ), Sao Tome and Principe ( CW and SSB ), Comoros ( CW and SSB ), Saint Paul Island ( CW and SSB ), Norfolk Island ( CW ), Maldives ( CW ), Palestine ( SSB ), Spratly Islands ( SSB ), Juan de Nova ( CW and SSB ), Heard Island ( CW ), Micronesia ( CW ), Guinea ( SSB ), Togo ( SSB ), South Georgia Is. ( CW ), South Sandwich Is. ( CW ), Palmyra ( SSB ), Willis Island ( CW and SSB ), Tonga ( CW ), Philippines ( SSB ), Tuvalu ( SSB ), Chesterfield Is. ( CW and SSB ), North Cook Is. ( CW and SSB ), Niue ( CW ), Cocos Island ( CW ), Tanzania ( CW ), Nauru ( CW and SSB ), Dem. Rep. of Congo ( CW and SSB ), Eritrea ( CW and SSB ), Navassa Island ( CW and SSB ), and Iran ( CW and SSB ).

Prefixes --- I have now worked 3,130 prefixes ( 768 US and 2,362 DX ).

I have over 87,000 logged QSOs overall, including over 30,000 QSOs with DX stations, over 36,000 confirmations, and over 72,000 QSOs since I moved to Virginia in July, 2013.

---

Numbers, Records, and Administrative Divisions --- Updated August 17, 2017

When I was first licensed ( 1963 ), among the first challenges was working all states, working all continents, and working as many countries as I could.  Also as many counties as I could.  When I came back to the hobby in 2012, I entered all of my log data into an excel spreadsheet so I could see what I have worked and what I have not worked.  As my QSO count grew, I started collecting countries and states by band and mode, and then counties by band and mode.  Then I began to pursue numbers or targets as well as administrative divisions.

I have monthly and annual targets by band and mode.  I also have "records" or personal bests which I seek to improve each year.  I am not competing against anyone.  I am simply competing against myself.  Examples of personal bests are number of QSO's in one day ( 752 ), number of DX QSOs in one day ( 441 ), number of QSOs in one month ( 4,100 ), number of QSOs in one calendar year ( 20,563 ), and the like by band and mode such as the number of CW QSOs in a year ( 9,138 ) and the number of QSOs on 20 meters in one year ( 8,259 ).

Then one day I decided to analyze my log in terms of primary and secondary administrative divisions of the various countries worked.  It's not a small effort, because in many instances the postal codes do not uniquely identify the primary or secondary divisions, so I have to do QRZ lookups and Google the name of the town and find it on a map.  In the process I am learning a lot of geography.  These are the log-countries I have analyzed so far. 

Africa

Mauritius and Rodriquez Island --- Districts ( 2 of 10 )

South Africa --- Provinces ( 8 of 9 )

Swaziland --- Regions ( 2 of 4 )

Asia

Japan --- Regions ( 8 of 8 ), and Prefectures ( 39 of 47 )

Europe

Austria --- States ( 9 of 9 )

Belgium --- Regions ( 3 of 3 ), Provinces ( 11 of 11 ), and Administrative Arrondissments ( 37 of 43 )

Croatia --- Regions ( 4 of 4 ) and Counties ( 19 of 21 )

England --- Regions ( 9 of 9 ), Counties ( 46 of 48 ), and Postal Codes ( 95 of 99 )

France --- Regions ( 18 of 18 ) and Departments ( 90 of 101 )

Germany --- States ( 16 of 16 ), Administrative Regions ( 19 of 19 ), and Districts ( 302 of 402 )

Italy --- Regions ( 20 of 20 ) and Provinces ( 100 of 110 )

Ireland and Northern Ireland --- Provinces ( 4 of 4 ) and Counties ( 29 of 35 )

Liechtenstein --- Electoral Districts ( 1 of 2 ) and Municipalities ( 2 of 11 )

Netherlands --- Regions ( 4 of 4 ), Provinces ( 12 of 12 ), Regular Municipalities ( 137 of 392 ), and Special Municipalities ( 3 of 3 )

Poland --- Provinces ( 16 of 16 ) and Counties ( 147 of 379 )

Portugal --- Autonomous Regions ( 2 of 2 ), Districts ( 12 of 18 ), and Municipalities ( 53 of 308 )

Russia --- Federal Districts ( 8 of 8 ), Federal Subjects ( 75 of 85 ), and Districts ( 394 of 2,645? ) ( plus 12 deleted Districts )

Scotland --- Regions ( 4 of 4 ), Shires ( 25 of 34 ), and Postal Codes ( 16 of 16 )

Serbia and Kosovo --- Regions ( 5 of 5 ) and Districts-Okrugs ( 22 of 30 )

Spain --- Autonomous Communities ( 17 of 17 ), Provinces ( 44 of 50 ), Autonomous Cities ( 2 of 2 ), Major Islands ( 4 of 7 )

Wales --- Counties ( 19 of 22 ) and Postal Codes ( 4 of 5 )

North America

Bermuda --- City of Hamilton, Town of Saint George, and Parishes ( 7 of 11 )

Canada --- Provinces and Territories by band-mode

Mexico --- Regions ( 8 of 8 ) and States ( 22 of 32 )

Puerto Rico --- Municipalities ( 33 of 78 ) by band-mode

United States --- States and Counties by band-mode

Oceania

Australia --- States ( 6 of 6 ) and Territories ( 5 of 10 )

Fiji and Rotuma --- Divisions ( 2 of 4 ) and Provinces ( 2 of 14 )

South America

Bolivia --- Departments ( 4 of 9 )

Brazil --- Regions ( 5 of 5 ), District Federal and States ( 23 of 27 )

Chile ( including Easter Island and Juan Fernandez Islands ) --- Regions ( 11 of 15 ), Provinces ( 18 of 54 ), and Communes ( 29 of 346 )

---

Visitors

The most recent visitors to the N4UP station were OD5LN ( Naim Ziade from Lebanon ), K4ZA ( Don Daso ), KJ4USV ( Richard Willis ), and KI4TZ ( Joe Barkley ).

  

The above photo shows OD5LN operating the N4UP station.

---

Special Events

During the period July 7-18, 2016, I was the control operator for W4A --- the US Route 52 Commemorative Special Event.  We drove the entire length of US Route 52, from White Point Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, to the Canadian border at Portal, North Dakota.  11 States.  82 Counties.  1,165 QSOs.  On the way up we drove US Route 52 and ran each county.  On the way back we took interstate highways and only ran a county when the highway intersected US Route 52.

Please note we have a separate QRZ page for the W4A Special Event at https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UP/W4A

During the period October 4-10, 2015, I was one of the N4F ops for the Fire Prevention Week special event.

During the period September 23-27, 2015, I was one of the N4P ops for the Pope's Visit special event.  I logged 2,256 QSOs in 30 hours of operating time over five days on CW and SSB.

During the week of October 8-14, 2014, I was one of the W1AW/4 ops for Virginia.   I logged 2,312 QSOs in 30 hours of operating time over seven days on CW and SSB.

During Field Day 1965, I was one of the ops for W4HHO/4, Charleston ( South Carolina ) ARC.

---

QSL Cards

This is my current QSL Card and our current Club Station QSL card, showing a photo of nearby Nottoway Falls Reservoir.

  

---

Location

My current QTH ( From July 18, 2013 ) is in the Southside Region of Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge mountains and south of the James River.  Specifically, we are 60 miles southeast of Richmond and about 120 miles northeast of Raleigh, in the Rubermont community in rural Lunenburg County, near Victoria, Virginia, on almost 15 acres of land. The property is roughly 900 feet by 900 feet, has mostly pine trees 50-60 feet high and 10-12 feet apart, with an acre and a half cleared in the middle for the house, garage, and tower.  The elevation is about 500 feet and the northern portion of the property slopes toward the Nottoway River.

  

Above is a Google Earth image of my current QTH.

  

Above is a photo of the house. The windows on the lower left are for the radio room. The photo shows two 8-place remote coax switches and the coax/control lines feed-throughs

My previous QTH ( May 7, 2012 through June 12, 2013 ) was in Johnston County, near Clayton, North Carolina.  The property was about an acre, on Queen Ann Lake in the Neuse Colony community, and subject to HOA antenna restrictions.

---

Background

I was born and raised in Upminster, Essex, England, now part of London. My parents and I emigrated in 1956, when I was 9 years old. We traveled on the RMS Franconia ( 1922-1956 ), from Southampton, England to Le Havre, France; to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and on to New York.

While exploring the ship in high seas and rough weather, I discovered the radio room, and that got me started as a Medium-and-Short-Wave Listener.

So in the late 50s and early 60s I first explored the AM broadcast band and was thrilled to hear stations on the west coast and in between, not necessarily just the clear channel stations, then moved on to the shortwave broadcast bands. But even with the AM broadcast band, as a 10 year old I was experimenting with directional antennas and learning about propagation.

I subsequently encountered amateur radio in 1963 through a classmate at St. Andrew's Parish High School in Charleston, South Carolina ( James August Mares, WA4EMY ( SK )). During high school I was on the air almost every day. During my first two years at Auburn University I lived in a private boarding house for hams and electrical engineering students. I was on the air sporadically throughout college and graduate school, and afterwards I drifted away from the hobby due to family and career, although I was subsequently active on and off between 1979 and 1981.

I retired in 2005 and returned to the air in May, 2012. I operate 70% CW and I am most comfortable at around 25 wpm. I can reliably copy to about 35 wpm but I have trouble sending above 25 wpm due to a physical dexterity limitation as a result of a head injury suffered in 2006.

---

Amateur Radio Licenses and Callsigns

Novice in 1963 at age 15 as WN4PFQ.

General in 1963 at age 16 as WA4PFQ.

Advanced and Extra Class licenses in 1970 at age 22.

I acquired the callsign N4UP when the FCC first opened up the N-series callsigns in 1977.

---

Memberships and Certificates

I am a member of ARRL ( 1963 ), A-1 Operators Club ( 1964 ), CWops ( 2013 ), Potomac Valley Radio Club ( 2014 ), Rubermont Radio Club ( 2014 ), and Essex ( UK ) CW Amateur Radio Club ( 2016 ).

I was very active in the National Traffic System in the mid-1960's, holding Net Certificates for the South Carolina CW Net ( 1964 ) and the Fourth Region Net ( 1964 ). I was also active in the Eastern Area Net. I served briefly as Route Manager for South Carolina in 1965 before leaving for college.

---

QSO Logging

I log every QSO.  I use N1MM Plus for actual logging, then export to HRD.  My two primary logs are HRD and Microsoft Excel.  I upload most QSOs from HRD to eQSL and LoTW and some to QRZ.

---

Previous Stations ( 1963 - 1981 )

1. Heathkit HR-10 Receiver, DX-60 Transmitter, HG-10 VFO, and HA-10 Linear Amplifier.

2. Swan 350 Transceiver.

3. Hammarlund HQ-170 Receiver and HX-50 Transmitter, and ( a second ) Heathkit HA-10 Linear Amplifier.

4. Drake R4B Receiver and T4XB Transmitter, and Heathkit SB-220 Linear Amplifier.

5. Drake R4C Receiver and TX4C Transmitter, and Heathkit SB-221 Linear Amplifier.

---

Current Stations.

6. Yaesu FT-DX-5000-MP with Tokyo-Hy-Power HL-1.5KDX and MFJ-998. Set up for 160-80-40-30-20-17-15-12-10-6 meters.  Tuner rarely needed.  For 6 meters the tuner is bypassed.

7. Yaesu FT-DX-5000-MP with Alpha 9500 or Tokyo-Hy-Power HL-1.5KDX. Set up for 160-80-40-30-20-17-15-12-10-6 meters.  This station also has a Palstar HF-Auto Tuner available.

8. Collins S-Line Station. 75S-3, 32S-3, 75S-1, 32S-2, and 30L-1. Setup for 80-40-20-15-10 meters.

9. Mobile Rig.  Yaesu FT-450D with Ameritron ALS-500MR and LDG-600, to a Tarheel Screwdriver M100A-HP.  Backup rig is FT-991.  I also have TS-590-SG which will replace the FT-450D.

---

Modern HF Equipment.

Alpha 9500 Amplifier.

Ameritron ALS-500MR Solid State Amplifier for mobile operations.

Kenwood TS-590-SG for mobile operations.

Palstar HF-Auto, MFJ-998 Auto Tuners ( 2 ), and LDG-600 Auto Tuner.  None of these are in routine use.

Tokyo-Hy-Power HL-1.5KDX ( 2 ) Solid State Amplifiers.

Yaesu FT-DX-5000-MP ( 2 ) Transceivers

Yaesu FT450D Transceiver for mobile operations.

Yaesu FT-991 Transceiver for mobile operations ( backup mobile rig ).

Older Solid State HF Equipment.

Yaesu FT-107M Transceiver, FP-107E Power Supply, FV-107 External VFO, and FC-107 Antenna Tuner.

Vintage HF Equipment.

Collins 75S-3 Receiver, 32S-3 Transmitter, 516F-2 Power Supply, and 312B-4 Console.

Collins 75S-1 Receiver, 32S-1 Transmitter, and 30L-1 Linear Amplifier.

Drake 2-B Receiver with 2-BQ Q-Multiplier.

Drake 2-C Receiver with 2-CQ Q-Multiplier.

Drake R-4B Receiver and T-4XB Transmitter with AC-4 and MS-4.

Drake R-4C Receiver and T-4XC Transmitter with AC-4 and MS-4.

Drake L-4B Linear Amplifier.

Hallicrafters SX-101 Receiver.

Hallicrafters SX-111 Receiver, R-48 Speaker, HT-37 Transmitter, and HA-1 Keyer.

Hallicrafters HT-40 Transmitter.

Hammarlund HQ-170 Receiver and HX-50 Transmitter.

Heathkit RX-1 Mohawk Receiver, TX-1 Apache Transmitter, and HA-10 Warrior Linear Amplifier.

Heathkit HR-10B Receiver, DX-60A Transmitter, and HG-10B VFO.

Heathkit SB-220 Linear Amplifier.

Swan 350C Transceiver.

---

Antennas.

As of February 18, 2016 I have nine operational antennas plus one RX-only antenna and two mobile antennas.

1. For 30-20-17-15-12-10 meters. Tennadyne T10.10-30HD ( 10-element LPDA ) at 73' on a freestanding 72' motorized crank-up tower ( HDX572 ).  This antenna works well on all six bands and all band segments without a tuner.

2. For 160-80-40 meters. 160 meter OCF dipole at a height of 40 feet, with ends supported at 32 feet. This is not really high enough for 160-80-40 meters but works well enough as a backup antenna.

3. For 6 meters. 5 x Cushcraft A505S. 5-element Yagis at 25' on separate masts ( five fixed directions ).  These yagis work well at 50.0-50.2 MHz without a tuner.  I am planning to remove three of these, and raise two to 35-40' with rotors.

4. For 80-40-30 meters. DXE-8040-VA-1. 54' Vertical with 64 x 65' radials. The VA-1 has a capacity hat at 43' and is three-way-guyed at 37' ...  This antenna is tuned for CW and is located in the near/South woods.  I only need a tuner for high end 80 meter SSB operation.

5. For 160 meters. IAC Double Bazooka Inverted L with 76 radials ( they vary in length from 75-135 feet, with most being 120 feet ).  This antenna is located in the near/South woods beyond the VA-1.  Height is 40 feet.  This antenna works well without a tuner over the entire 160 meter band.

The South Woods area is the preferred location for TX antennas because ( 1 ) it is somewhat higher in elevation than the rest of the property, ( 2 ) the larger trees are 10-12 feet apart with brush already cleared, and so it is relatively easy to access with a bucket truck and relatively easy to lay radials, and ( 3 ) it is relatively close to the radio room.

The West Woods area is the preferred area for RX antennas because ( 1 ) it is separated from the West Woods and ( 2 ) the woods are thicker and not suitable for vertical antennas/radials.  I am in the middle of cutting two 1000' trails and plan to install two 1000' reversible beverage antennas.  They will be hung at 8 feet using trees for supports.  One will be oriented NE-SW and the other NW-SE.  They will "cross" near the middle of the property and relatively close to the house, so the feedlines will be relatively short.

The following two images show ( 1 )  the 72 foot tower and 10-element LPDA and ( 2 ) the base of the 8040 Vertical.

   

   

---

Current Amateur Radio Interests

Operating on 160-10 and sometimes 6 meters, mostly CW, Casual DX, Casual Contesting, Collecting Prefixes, County Hunting.

---

Former and Present QTH ( Years on the Air )

Upminster, Essex, England

Charleston, South Carolina

Johns Island, South Carolina ( 1963 -1965 ) Charleston County

Auburn, Alabama ( 1965 - 1968 ) Lee County

Charleston, South Carolina ( 1965 - 1968 ) Charleston County

Fort Collins, Colorado ( 1971 ) Latimer County

Albuquerque, New Mexico * Bernalillo County

Somerset, New Jersey ( 1979 ) Franklin Township, Somerset County

Manassas, Virginia ( 1979 - 1981 ) Prince William County

Germantown, Maryland * Montgomery County

Leesburg, Virginia * Loudoun County

Frederick, Maryland * Frederick County

Stokesdale, North Carolina * Rockingham County

Clayton, North Carolina ( 2012 - 2013 ) Johnston County

Victoria, Virginia ( 2013 - 2038 ) Lunenburg County

---

Family

I've been blessed with three wonderful children, now young adults. My older daughter is an economist and teacher and lives in northern Virginia. My younger daughter has a Ph.D. in Community Research from Vanderbilt University ( Peabody College of Education and Human Development ); she lives in Minnesota. My son is a structural engineer with a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University; he lives and works in the Raleigh area.

---

Me

My "look" has varied over the years.

  In South Africa, at Kirstenbosch near Cape Town.

   Most Recent

   Early days in the USAF

   After I left the Defense Department

   Fairly Recent

---

Travel

1. My early interest in amateur radio led to an interest in traveling around the world. My career has taken me to many intriguing places; and I have taken many holidays abroad as well. Here are some of the countries and places where I have lived or visited.

England, Scotland, Wales. I follow a number of English and European football teams --- my favorites are AFC Hornchurch, Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool, and Club Brugge K.V.

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Sicily, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Vatican.

--- Favorite Places in Europe --- Bruges, Erice, Heidelberg, Istanbul, Odessa, Yalta. And many more.

Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, United States.

--- Most intriguing places I have been in North America --- Atqasuk, Barrow, Deadhorse, Nuiqsut, and Wainwright on the North Slope of Alaska,

Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tasmania, Tonga.

--- Favorite Places in the Asia and Pacific Regions --- Madras, Manus Island, Melbourne, Nauru, and Nuku'alofa.

South Africa.

--- Favorite Place in Africa --- Cape Town.

2. Here is a recent QSL Card, showing a photo I took in Bruges in June, 2012.

---

Degrees

1970 --- Electrical Enginering ( Auburn University )

1973 --- Theoretical Physics ( Colorado State University ) Fort Collins, Colorado

1984 --- Management ( Federal Executive Institute ) Charlottesville, Virginia

---

Career --- Retired in 2005

Process Control Research Engineer --- Westvaco ( Charleston, South Carolina )

Active Duty U.S. Air Force --- Graduate Student ( Colorado State University ) Fort Collins, Colorado

Active Duty U.S. Air Force --- Physicist ( Air Force Weapons Laboratory ) Albuquerque, New Mexico

Active Duty U.S. Air Force --- Assistant Professor ( AFROTC ) New Jersey Institute of Technology ( Newark ).  Also served as Commandant of Cadets.

Active Duty U.S. Air Force --- Staff Scientist ( Defense Nuclear Agency ) Alexandria, Virginia

U.S. Defense Department --- Program Director for Radiation Effects ( Defense Nuclear Agency ).  Also served on various intelligence working groups.

U.S. Defense Department --- Created and managed the Pentagon's Global Effects Program ( Nuclear Winter )

Physical Research, Inc. --- Principal Research Scientist and Operations Manager for the Washington DC Office

U.S. Department of Energy --- 1990-1997 Program Director for Atmospheric Radiation ( Climate Change Research )

--- Research Sites: Lamont, Oklahoma; Barrow, Alaska; Manus Island, Papua New Guinea; Nauru; Darwin, Australia

U.S. Department of Energy --- 1997-2005 Program Director for Atmospheric Science ( Air Quality Research )

---- I also funded and provided oversight for the U.S. Department of Energy's Research Aircraft Facility ( RAF ) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state.

U.S. Department of Energy --- Program Director for Global Change Education

U.S. Department of Energy --- Board of Directors, Office of Aviation Management

Member --- Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee, National Science Foundation

Member --- NARSTO Executive Steering Committee ( North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone ) ( and Particulate Matter )

Member --- Air Quality Research Subcommittee ( AQRS ), Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability ( CENRS ), National Science and Technology Council ( NSTC )