Welcome to the Home Page of:

Benjamin R. MacRAE

KC8LBP

You've reached this small part of the Information Superhighway, the paved shoulder of sorts on the right side of the road, whether because of an accident, being lost and looking for directions, or because of some other more worthwhile purpose.  Regardless of the reason for your visit, I would like to welcome you to my page and hope you have a pleasant stay.  You can drop me an e-mail using the link at the bottom of this page.  Thanks!--BRM
 
 
ABOUT ME:
 

DETAILS:

  • Past
    • I spent my first two years of college attending Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan on a Presidential Scholarship, where I commuted ~100 miles per day and gained my Associate's Degree.
  • Present
    • For the past 2 years I have attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.  I am working towards my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major of Management.  I plan on graduating in May of 1999.   I am involved on campus in the Marketing Advisory Board, the American Marketing Association, and have been on the Dean's List since I began at NMU.
  • Future
    • Upon graduation in May, I look forward to returning to the Frankfort area to reside and work, and hope to become an active member of the local community.
    PICTURES: INFO:  
  • Location
    • My hometown of Frankfort is located on the western side of the State of Michigan.  It is almost directly across Lake Michigan from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is about halfway between Manistee and Traverse City, Michigan.  It is a booming tourist area, and attracts visitors from all across the country.  The population of Frankfort is about 1,500 permanent residents.
  • Links
    • Northern Michigan University
    Northwestern Michigan College
    Benzie County Homepage
    Frankfort Public Library
    Area Weather
  • Contact Information
    • [email protected]
     
    MY HOBBIES:

    AMATEUR RADIO:

  • General Information about Amateur Radio
  • How I got into Amateur Radio
    • Well, I was first introduced to Amateur Radio (aka Ham Radio) about 3 years ago when I met Joseph Erlewein, N8OUZ, who is quite involved with amateur radio.  I got  interested in the hobby, and eventually got around to getting my license this past fall in October of 1998.  I then discovered that Timothy Shandonay, KC8FEW, a resident across the hall from me in the dorms, was also an amateur radio operator, so I had someone nearby to chat with on the radio at school.

    I am licensed by the F.C.C. as a Technician Class No-Code Amateur Radio Operator, and my callsign is KC8LBP.  I am also ARES certified.

  • Organizations
    • First and foremost, I am a member of the Benzie Area Radio Friends (B.A.R.F.) which is the local amateur radio organization in my home county.  The Benzie Area Radio Friends is a great organization of people, and we have a lot of fun in various aspects of amateur radio.  BARF operates a 2-meter repeater located atop the water tower in Benzonia, Michigan running on a frequency of 147.04+ under the callsign of Marion Stoner, W8VWY of Frankfort.

    I am alsoAmateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) certified and will in the near future apply for RACES certification so that I can offer my help in case of an emergency.  Every year Benzie county puts on an emergency drill for practice purposes, and I look forward to participating in this year's event, which will be in the late summer.

    I am also planning on joining the Cherryland Amateur Radio Club, which has a homepage linked below.

  • Activities
  • My Radios
    • I have 2 radios, a mobile rig for my truck and a handheld radio as well.

    ICOM 2100H:

    Well, I have owned this radio since late January of 1999, and I like it very much.  I had the rig installed in my Jeep for about 3 weeks, until I bought my new truck (see below).  I have not had a chance to install it in the new truck, so it is back in the box currently.  The Icom puts out a peak output of 55 watts, has a dual backlit display, full-function microphone (also backlit), and it has all kinds of features I do not yet know how to use:>)  Overall I really like the rig, and can't wait to get it installed in my truck.
    YAESU FT-50:
    I've had my FT50 since the middle of Fall 1998, and it has been an excellent radio.  I used it as my primary rig until I got my Icom, and now am back to using it primarily again.  It has proved to be a very rugged, dependable, and full-featured radio, with incredibly wide-mhz recieve function (basically from about 75mhz to 1000mhz with only a few gaps!).  I have two batteries for the FT50, and my only complaint with it is that the batteries cannot be charged independantly of the radio unless one buys the optional (nearly $100.00) quick-charger, which I have not purchased as of yet.  Overall, it is a great radio.
     
    COMET B-20NMO ANTENNA:
    The antenna I have used since this past Fall (until I purchased my new truck) is a Comet B-20NMO antenna mounted on a Larsen mag-base.  I have been very pleased with this antenna--it has excellent performance and looks great.  However, with the new truck, I want a more permanant mount, and since the truck will be garaged soon, I will need a lower-profile setup.  I plan on going with a window-mount (ie: cellular-style) antenna for day-to-day use and will keep the Comet for long road trips and such.
     
  • Links
    • Amateur Radio League
    Cherryland Amateur Radio Club
    Yaesu USA Homepage
    Icom USA Homepage
    QSL Homepage
     
     
    MY TRUCK:

    MY 1998 GMC SIERRA:

     

     
     
    CONTACT INFO:
     
    Benjamin R. MacRAE
    KC8LBP
    [email protected]
    http://www.qsl.net/kc8lbp
     
    Thanks For Visiting!