BIOGRAPHY of K9JF

Jim Fenstermaker
10312 NE 161^st Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98682

After a couple years of SWLing, I received my novice license in 1959 in Ft. Wayne, IN.  My first call was KN9TZH.  Passed my general test in 1960 and was upgraded to K9TZH.  My first rig was a National NC-98 receiver with a homebrew transmitter.  In 1960, I upgraded to a Heathkit DX-60 with a real VFO!  I became enthralled with working DX and received my DXCC in 1962.

Following my college years, I enlisted in the US Army in 1968 and received my commission in the Signal Corps in 1969, following basic training, AIT, and Artillery OCS.  I attended army schools at Ft. Gordon, GA and Ft. Monmouth, NJ.  My next duty station was in Germany where I was active using the callsign DL5JF.  During this time, I was appointed company commander.  This assignment allowed me hone my leadership and communication skills.  Following discharge from the army in 1972, I was able to travel around Europe for five months and met many hams throughout the continent.

Upon returning from Europe, Shirley and I were married in 1972.  I worked for a couple of years and returned to school in 1974, earning an MBA degree from Indiana University in 1975.  We moved to Milwaukee, WI and I was a charter member and first President of the Greater Milwaukee DX Association.

During the vanity call window in early 1978, I applied for and received the callsign K9JF.  In 1982, we visited the Pacific Northwest and decided “this is the place”.  We moved here in 1983 with our two small children, Andy and Matt.  We built a house on approximately 2 acres and began planting the antenna farm. 

I worked at Tektronix at the time. 

Being an active ham, father, and involved community member took up most of my spare time.  I did, however, serve on my local school board for 5 years and also was president of the Willamette Valley DX Club and the Clark County Amateur Radio Club.  In 1987, Tektronix paid for additional schooling and I received an accounting certificate (post-bac. BA) I took and passed the CPA exam and hold a CPA certificate in Washington.  In 1993, I made a career move and became Director of Business in a school district.  I continue to function in this profession.

Throughout these years, I have remained an active ham and enjoy DXing, contesting, public service activities, and general operating.  I have 357 DXCC entities confirmed and also have earned 5 Band DXCC and 5 Band WAZ.  My antenna farm continues to grow and building antennas is a current interest.  Recently, I became interested in 160 meter communication and currently have over 130 entities confirmed.  Now, I work on the WARC bands, trying to complete my 9 band DXCC!

Shirley and I are developing new interests now that we have become “empty nesters”.  Both Andy and Matt are students as Washington State University in Pullman, WA.  My involvement as ARRL Vice Director for the Northwestern Division is allowing us to make new friends and to become acquainted with many other aspects of our hobby.  I anticipated learning much more during the ensuing years and serving the ARRL constituents in the Northwestern Division.