NOTE: I am currently "off the air" since I no longer have a HF rig. I do occasionally get on the air from WY4Z's shack. This page is out of date somewhat and will be updated when I get another HF rig.
I'll QSL via eQSL and direct postal mail (if you are sending a card from within the US, please include a SASE).
I love to collect QSL cards!
I'm a General class operator and I've been licensed since November 1997 with the same callsign. I live in beautiful Johnson City, Tennessee, but was licensed when I was in the US Army stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, hence the "5" in my call. I enjoy chasing DX, being DX myself, ragchewing, public service activities, and ham radio in general. While I am a definite fan of the Internet and all that goes with it, there is nothing that replaces making a QSO with another ham hundreds or thousands of miles away from my home over the air.
I currently operate SSB only but plan on diving into the digital modes. I want to learn Morse code also as well as upgrade to Extra Class. I'm mainly active during the evenings on the weekends (sometimes on weekdays) on 15, 17, 20, and 40 meters. I am generally inactive on 2 meters locally save for a rare time or two I decide to listen to a local repeater in my truck when I'm mobile. I much prefer HF these days!
My eventual goal is to have my own ham shack with all the goodies I'm interested in and the knowledge to enjoy them all. Someday, I'd love to get a Yaesu FT-817 and do DX QRP from all around the beautiful mountains that surround my home being in the Appalachian Mountain range. I live very close to the Appalachian Trail.
My little HF setup which has served me quite well!
I use an ICOM IC-718 with a homebrewed half-G5RV or "G5RV Junior" (40M-10M) at 100W (normally around 40W). The antenna is currently about 50-80 feet in the air on either side and is strung between two large trees aimed north/south. Thanks to the generosity of another ham, my station runs on 100% battery power although I do have a 25A switching power supply if I need it. I am using a 12V gel-cell lead-acid sealed wheelchair battery for my main station and a similar battery for my "park mobile" operation. I currently use a trickle battery charger to charge the battery, but when finances permit, I'd love to go "all solar" to keep the battery going. As a member of ARES and SKYWARN, it's important for me to be on the air when conditions are less than ideal. This little station has served me well as I have had the pleasure of working stations from all over the world with it. If you are just starting out in the HF bands or would like a great "mobile" or "backup" HF rig, I can highly recommend the 718. I've owned this little radio since 2008 and it's never let me down.
A view of my "G5RV Jr." facing north.
