Welcome to the Homepage of

N4DQ

I became interested in ham radio at a very early age. My grandfather was an early pioneer in the days of the spark gap radio. I can remember playing in his radio workshop and being fascinated with all the sounds and equipment. It was not until I was about 13 years old that I thought of getting my ham license. I was active in the Boy Scouts in Miami Florida and decided to learn the Morse code for a merit badge. It was during this time that I met a neighbor who was a ham. His call was W4SNE. I remember studying very hard for my novice license. I passed on the first attempt and received my first call sign, WA4IWO in 1962. Tom (W4SNE) also helped me build my first transmitter. It used a pair of TV sweep tubes and was capable of 150 watts. My Dad ( who knew the morse code from WWII) helped me learn the code and bought my first receiver for me. It was a Drake 2-B. The CW bug bit me and I have loved it ever since. It was not long until I was able to upgrade to my General Class license, then Advanced, and finally reached my goal of Extra Class in the early 1970’s. I have many good memories of my early ham days. Developed some very close friendships, with hams such as Bob Lightner WA4PWF (now W4GJ), Ray LaRue, W4BYG, Jim Hudson WA4BAW (who is now a SK), and Andy Clark W4IYT (also a SK now).

I spend most of my operating time on CW, either on 40 or 20 meters, or PSK-31 and as you can see from the photo, I enjoy the old "boat anchor" equipment. I have owned over the years, 3 Collins S Lines, Johnson Rangers, Valiants, a large assortment of Drake lines, even a Central Electronics 100V.

I presently live in Sharpsburg Georgia and am currently a member of QCWA, A1-OP, and a host of other ham groups. If you ever hear me on the HF bands, please give me a call.

73, Jere