I post all contacts (except portable ones, which are paper logged) on LoTW and eQSL at the end of each month. But I much prefer the traditional "snail mail" QSL card. No sase is needed.

I was first licensed as a high school aged Novice in Sioux Falls, SD in 1970 with the call WN0BJC, but I was only on the air for a few months. Two major family moves in the space of about a year resulted in a lapsed ticket. College, marriage, kids, and career kept me away from the hobby for the next 20-plus years. I finally re-licensed in 1993 and received my current call.

I am almost exclusively a HF QRP CW operator. I probably enjoy building kits and homebrew equipment just about as much as operating. My main rig is an Elecraft K2 that I built during the first half of 2010. It's a really great radio. I also have several other homebrew and kit radios that I put on the air from time to time. I enjoy portable operations with my KX1-based "Shack-In-A-Box." The picture shows me operating that radio with a simple random-wire/counterpoise antenna from a state park near my home. I am not much of a contester or DX-chaser but participate in both activities occasionally.

I'm a real CW nut and frequently switch between using a straight key, a paddle, or a bug. I've taught myself to work a paddle with my left hand and a straight key or bug with my right hand. The four items shown below make up the "vintage" part of my key collection. The first is a1941 US Army Signal Corps J5A "Flame Proof" straight key. Next is a strap key that was made at the Engineering Department shops at the University of Michigan. I'm a graduate of U of M so owning, and occasionally using, this key is extra special for me. The third is a Brumberger "Codemaster" toy telegraph set that includes the original hookup wire and a 45 rpm instructional record. I would guess that it dates from the early 1960's. Finally, is a picture of my 1967 Vibroplex bug.

I am the President of the North American QRP CW Club (NAQCC). Our club call is N3AQC. We have over 9000 members located in all 50 states, 9 Canadian provinces, and 102 different countries, making it possibly the largest club devoted to QRP/CW operating in the world.  Among our many activities, are a 2 hour monthly sprint where you compete in categories against others who are using similar antennas and keying devices, month long challenges, an extensive awards program, a full-color monthly newsletter, and more. If you have any interest at all in CW and QRP, we invite you to become a member - it's free. No need to be either 100% QRP or 100% CW. Our web site is http://naqcc.info/ and a YouTube video about our club can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPRPJEgpw9w.

In June 2012 I retired after teaching high school math for 34 years. I thought that retirement would give me more time to play radio but I find that I am busier than I ever was before - but it's a good kind of busy!  I have a wonderful wife, Susan, and we are the proud parents of two adult children - Mike and Jenny.  Our first grandchild, Reagan Grace, was born in July 2010.  She is a real joy and if you would like to see a picture of her I probably have a few thousand that I could share with you!  We have a second grandchild, another girl,  due this fall.  We are active in church and Bible study activities.  In addition to ham radio I enjoy traveling, reading (especially biography and history), pencil puzzles, day hiking, and learning about just about anyting that is technical/scientific/engineering in nature. I also have modest collections of slide rules and pocket knives (smaller, traditional styles).

Memberships: ARRL, QRP ARCI #12216, FP QRP #758, NAQCC #675, SKCC #957T, FISTS #15385.

CUL es 73 de N8XMS