Hi,

I have been a Ham since the sixties and have been active for all those years. Ham Radio has been the best hobby I have ever been involved in and the friends I have met over the years have been a blessing to me.

I have just change my station to a FT-450 from using a TS-830S Kenwood which I used for many years and enjoyed every minute using the TS-830S. Great rig but time to update.

I still have some old equipment as you can see in the picture which is the SB-200 amp. No way will I get rid of it. The antenna is a S9v vertical ground mounted with 90 short radials. I have been very pleased with its performance.

Seems like we hang out on 20 meters most of the time but do work the other bands also. My favorite modes QRP CW and PSK31 which are both a blast to operate and the results even running low power are just amazing to me. The other modes we operate are SSB, RTTY and CW. Some times we like to venture off and use some of the other modes.

I was introduced to QRP CW by Don K3RLL late in 2010 and have really enjoyed getting out in the fresh air and Hamming it up at one of many parks in this area.

We use the Elecraft KX1 portable at 4 watts. Our favorite QRP band is 20 meters and the antenna is what we call an L antenna. The L antenna is an inverted vee turn to look like an L. It has been amazing the qso's we have had using this antenna. We are portable from different parks in this area on Wednesday of each week around 14:30 utc to 16:30 utc on or around 14.060. Please look us up when you have the chance.

After all these years I still work a friend of mine that sparked my interest in ham radio when we were kids. He got his license at a young age and I waited till I was in College to go for my license. My friend and mentor is K4FWJ who I want to thank for sparking my interest in this great hobby and giving me such a fun thing to do for many years.

72/73,

Art WB4MNK

QRPARCI #14459 NAQCC #5274

SKCC #2180 PB #284 FP #2666

070 CLUB # 368 KX1 # 2466 FIST# 12428

Below are some pictures of the Guys enjoying the portable operations at the local parks in the Daytona Beach area. The main mode we operateis QRP CW. Not everyone brings a rig but everyone is welcome to use the stations that are set up. Probably the most important asset of these portable operations is being able to discuss and learn about many different subjects from your buddies. It is just a bunch of fun we have each week.