Greetings fellow radio amateurs from W8RA.

Updated August 2015

I was first licensed in May of 1962 thanks to the help of my Elmer- Hans Jens W8HFM (SK). I upgraded to extra class and got my present call in the 1970's before the vanity callsign program.

STATION: Our current station (W8RA & K4YL) in Michigan consists of two - Elecraft K3’s/P3's, an Orion II, ACOM 2000A amps, Array Solutions Bandmaster/FiltermaxIII combos and an 8 pack switch. A Microham MK2R+ handles the inputs. Transmit antennas consist of shunt feeding a 130 foot tower (with 80 1/4 wave radials) for 160M, a full size 4-square for 80M and a MonstIR for 40M and higher bands. The MonstIR is at 130 feet (40 meters) high at the top of the mast in the picture below. The mast is a 30 foot street lighting pole, rotated with a prop pitch mechanism (K7NV refurbished) inside of the 100 foot steel lattice utility tower.

VINTAGE STATION: Pictured below is my vintage station consisting of a DX60, HG10, HR10 and Drake 2B. The DX60 is the original model with no suffix letter - identical to the first rig I used as a novice in 1962. In fact, I see markings under the chassis that make me think it was my original kit - although it was purchased at a swap for me by a friend, many years after mine had been traded away.  I sure wish I had scratched my call sign into that chassis! Many thanks to Tim, WB8UHZ for letting me acquire the Drake 2B. I never had one as a novice but my Elmer W8HFM had one that I got to use a couple of times and I admired it immensely. It is a FB receiver for CW, even today.

W8RA/M MOBILE Op’s: Thanks for working my mobile station! I run a Elecraft KX3 & PX3 a KXPA100 and ALS 500M SS Mobile Amp to a Tarheel 200A HP on HF.  The Tarheel screw driver is mounted on a bracket welded to the frame and hitch on the back of my SUV.  I also use a Kenwood DM710A-K model, to a Diamond SG7900A. I especially enjoy CW mobile with a Bencher paddle fixed to the center console in front of my right hand.

MAXIM MEMORIAL KEY: A new prize possession at W8RA, (pictured below) is a Begali made -  Maxim Memorial Straight Key. The only other one I am aware of was given by Pietro to Dave Sumner, Executive Director of the ARRL. I was very fortunate to be able to persuade Pietro to allow me to purchase this key at the Dayton Hamvention in 2014. I am sure there are very few of these in existence. Thank you again Pietro! I will cherish this and use it only on special occasions with my vintage DX60.

NEW STATION: April 2015. My wife Linda K4YL and I have been pleased to be able to purchase the QTH and station of K4XS in Florida. We will be soon setting up operations from Brooksville, Florida. Our heartfelt and very best wishes go to Bill and Holly for their future plans and a big thank you for helping us make life long dreams - for a truly world class station, come true! I have added some pictures of the new station in Florida below.

P.S. our current QTH in Michigan is FOR SALE. If you are interested -please contact us by e-mail for details.

Very 73, Bruce

Current QTH in Michigan:

MonstIR at 130 feet on free standing utility tower:

 

Shunt feed on 130 foot tower for 160m (before radials):

 

 

Full size 80M 4 square:

 

Vintage Station:

Mobile Setup:

 

Begali-  Maxim Memorial Key:

 

 

New QTH in Florida: