Have I really been playing around with this hobby for so
long?
I have held the following calls: WN9ZRA (novice in 1968, age 14)
WA9ZRA (general class in 1969) KD9GF (advanced in 1983) NA9N (extra class in
1984) and my current "vanity call" K9RQ in October 1997.
In 2005, through 2007, I was licensed as V31RQ and operated
while on vacations on Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) Belize.
I started in ham radio in ‘68 as a 14-year-old novice, running a
Heath DX 40 crystal controlled transmitter and an old
Also, with the great 10 meter propagation, I have been running the FT
817 QRP rig from the mobile with a converted CB whip for an antenna. Results have been surprisingly good
with QSOs all over North America and into Europe, all with no more than 5 watts
– all on SSB. I’m really glad to
see the sunspot activity starting to rise and the 10 meter band showing life
again.
I have been experimenting with some of the digital modes like WSPR,
JT65-HF, and PSK 31. It’s amazing
what can be done on these modes with extremely low power. I’ve been able to work around the world
on just milliwatts using some of these modes.
Also, I like to keep in touch with friends “up north” via Echolink. I recently picked up an iPhone and in browsing the apps store, noticed that Echolink for iPhone was available for free. It really works well and I recommend it to anyone who wants Echolink capability in the palm of their hand. It worked flawlessly right from the start and is a very convenient way for me to keep in touch.
Here’s the Base Station
Rundown – Mostly Kenwood Stuff !
For
a video of the Indiana shack click here.
Antennas-
Sometimes
I think that simpler just might be better !!
HF: Cushcraft R7 vertical for 40 – 10 meters.
HF: 80 Meter Half Loop (Grounded Loop)
VHF/UHF:
6 Meter Rotatable Dipole. Comet
GP-15. 50, 146, 440 MHz Tri-Band Vertical. Homebrew 6 element 432 beam. 2 meter horiz. Loop.
Yaesu FT-90 dual bander 146, and 440 MHz FM. Also, the FT 817 for ten meters.
Larsen NMO
2/70 antenna. Shortened CB whip
antenna for ten meters.
Some of my other hobbies include golf, music, and home
recording. Here are two links if
you want to check out some of my songs.
http://www.jamwave.com/danvanderplough
http://www.jamwave.com/acousticgenerations
More information on K9RQ
available on QRZ.com