Don Martin
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Welcome to the Mississippi Gulf Coast!
We are located just east of Biloxi and right on the Gulf of Mexico. We are centrally located here, with New Orleans, LA just to the west of us and Mobile, AL and the Florida Panhandle just to the east of us. We have 26 miles of the best manmade beach anywhere. Lots of fishing, golfing and now we have one of the the fastest growing area's for casino gaming!
As for my "Ham Radio" activities - I have been licensed since my high school days back in West Virginia. I started out in 1965 with WN8REA as my callsign, with my Novice class license. When I upgraded, I got to change the N to an A - so became WA8REA. How many remember those days? While traveling around with the Air Force, I have also held WB0QGO while living in South Dakota and KH6JHC from my Hawaii days. When I upgraded to Advanced class, I received the callsign KD8RP. Which I held for many years, to include KD8RP/TF from my 5 years in Keflavik, Iceland. As I was the radio operator on the Air Force's E-3 AWACS aircraft, I also had many fun hours as KD8RP / air mobile from all over the world! After retiring and staying in Mississippi, I decided to change my call to WA5DM. In the spring of 2005, W8DM became available and I applied for and was granted in April of 2005.
I enjoy working 10 and 15 Meters, mostly on SSB. I am also a frequent visitor to the 20 Meter Mobile Net / County Hunters Net on 14.336. For anyone who has worked my station, I am using a Kenwood TS-440 and R-7 Vertical. I am also active on 2 Meters and 440. Only FM at this time, but hope to have an all mode radio soon! Also, I am active on 2 Meter packet. But usually on the K5JZ DX node on 144.950 MHz. I am located in Jackson County and in Grid Square EM-50oj.
Some of my links for you......
Ham Radio:
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Mississippi Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Association
Air Force:
Airborne Early Warning Association
AWACS Airborne Warning & Control E3's
Local Area:
Weather Links:
The Weather Channel - Biloxi, MS
Last updated on 29 April 2005.