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phone 301-855-4281 k3cdq@chesapeake.net
You can find me on the YL System at 14.332 MHZ. I am the coordinator for Control Stations on the Moonbeam and the System's Public Relations Officer. My first name is James, but I go by my middle name, Richard or Dick and I have been a ham since 1978. My previous callsign was KA3CDQ. My interest in amateur radio comes from my years of being a Radio Intercept Operator in the USAF at Misawa AFB in Japan (57 thru 60.) I spent my early years as a ham chasing DX and managed to work over two hundred countries on 15 meter CW using a dipole antenna and a Heath Kit HW16. I wish I had never given it away.
My 1st Ham Set-up, 1978
My Set-up grows - 1981	I had to move into the garage to accommodate all of my Ham equipment!
In 1992 I retired from Corporate America and after a couple of months at home, went to work at one of the largest Ace Home Centers in the world. I am the Lawn and Garden Manager and have been there, working 40 to 45 hours a week since '92. It is a nice place to work but they seem to be putting an awful lot more in those fifty pound bags then they did back in '92.

After years in a corner of the basement, then the garage, I finally got my own room when we moved into our house in Calvert County. This room was the laundry room, but we moved the washer and dryer upstairs for convenience. It worked out great for me because the room was already equipped with all of the necessary electric power for my radios. Although the room is smaller than the garage, it's the perfect size for me and puts all of my equipment within arm's reach.


I operate a Kenwood TS570 at home with a Mosely TA33 at 50 ft and have an Ameritron AL-811H. Other antennas include 5 dipoles and a G5RV. And I am pleased to say that, in 1980, I had the opportunity to work Louis Varney, G5RV. I also have an Icom 735 which I use from time to time. In my mobile I have a TS140S which in car mileage, has over 1 million miles on it, plus eight years of taking it into the house in the evening to use it as a base rig. Been a great rig. Operate a little two meters with a VX-5R, but prefer HF.

After being up for eighteen years, it was time for repairs. After Isabel, the TA33 had a vertical front element, a horizontal center element and the back reflector was on the ground. On a beautiful Saturday in October, with the use of a home made Gin Pole, I lowered the antenna, strapped it to the tower with it pointing up and down, and re-secured the front element which was about to fall off. Then reinstalled the back element and pulled it back up and bolted it back in place alone.
I spend most of my time on the YL System. The System celebrated 40 years on the air on 2/9/03 and is approaching 16,000 in membership. We operate daily on 14.332 and you are invited to join us anytime. The YL System is a good place to make friends, work DX, states, counties or whatever you like. We usually have good DX on the evening Moonbeam portion of the System after 2100Z. You do not have to be a member to check in and you just might make contact with that state or DX you have been looking for. I also belong to the Calvert Amateur Radio Association, 10X and Fists. YLISSB #12934, Top Flight Operator #327, OMISS 2585, 10X - 30530, Century Club 40M-800, 75M-931, Fists 8072, ECARS 3247. YL System information available at http://www.qsl.net/ylissb Or, send an SASE requesting information to WA1GAG, or, send me - K3CDQ - an email requesting information. For members, all dues go to Rose, KL7FQQ.