I've been licensed as KB8UTA since 1994, and have just renewed my license. Up until recently, my main modes of operation have been 2 meter and 70cm fm.

This past field day, my son Jacob, KC8GHX and I set up and operated the VHF/UHF station with the L.E.A.R.A. club site in Cleveland Ohio. Over the weekend, 6 was REALLY open, and after the first few hours I was hooked! We managed 67 contacts as far as Utah and a few VE3's.

I also enjoy antenna design and homebrewing, so the 6 meter antenna was a Moxon from the recent QST artical. We also had squalos at 30 feet for 2 meters and 70 cm, as well as a 4 element quad for 2 meters.

Since field day, I have had more time on 6 meters from home and have managed 37 states with 34 comfirmed and 73 grids, wth 59 confirmed. Looks like 6 meter VUCC will be here before 6 meter WAS. I know that Hawaii and Alaska will be tough, but if it was easy, everyone would do it!

My main rig is an Icom 706mkllg, and I run an Icom 2100 mobile with a mag mount antenna. I also have a 6 meter hamstick on a truck pocket mount for when I want to get out and see whats up on 6 when I'm mobile.

At present, my base anntennas consist of 2 meter and 70cm squalos at about 25 feet for local repeater work and a 6 meter rotatable dipole at 35 feet for weak signal work. I am in the process of replacing the dipole with a homebrew 6 meter yagi which will have 4 elements on a 10 foot boom. THAT should make Alaska and Hawaii a BIT easier to get, hi hi.

I am a member of L.E.A.R.A., the Lake Erie Amateur Radio Association, and am active in community service events. If you have ever heard of what used to be called the Revco Cleveland Marathon, we supply the emergency communication for that event as well as for others. The biggest event we participate in is WIST. Thats the Westlake Invitational SOccer TOurnament. This takes place locally every year over Memorial Day Weekend, and has participants from all over competing. We cover 12 different soccer fields and aproximately 80 games over the weekend, so we definately get a workout. Other activities include The Shaker Hts Pumpkin Patrol, Local parades, the Sky Bank Tri-athalon, and the Chagrin Falls Hot Air Baloon Launch.

I'm just getting started on this web page and have a lot more to add. But for now, take a look at whats here, check out my links to our club and a few other sites, and dont forget to sign my guestbook!

73's Steve

States I've worked

States still needed