My station is modest (outdated!). I have an old FT902DM transceiver, with an even older FT101B that was my main rig until 1991. At a hamfest in Augusta, GA a few years ago, I picked up a Dentron Clipperton L amplifier (using four 572B tubes) that I am still in the process of rebuilding and upgrading. I also have a very old Heathkit HA-10, Warrior Amplifier that uses four 811A tubes.  For VHF, I have a transverter for use with the FT902DM that covers 6 meters, 2 meters and 432 Mhz bands on CW and SSB. I'm also on 2 meter FM with a HT and mobile rig. Take a look at some pictures of the shack.

Of course, everything changes and this description is quite outdated. I still have the older Yaesu gear, but my main radios are a pair of Icom IC765’s, with Inrad CW filters and the Inrad roofing filter mod. The Dentron Clipperton has been replaced by a Dentron MLA-2500B amplifier. I also use an Icom IC706MkIIg for RTTY, PSK31, and 6M, 2M & 70Cm operation.

     The antenna situation is constantly changing. I now have a Quad that will cover 5 bands from 20 meters to 10 meters (including the 17 and 12 meter WARC bands). There are 3 elements on 20, 15 and 17 meters and 5 elements on the 12 and 10 meter bands. Here are some antenna pictures.  On 40 meters I have a full wave loop antenna that seems to work well. For 80 and 160 meters, I have a horizontal vee antenna with each leg about 235 feet long, supported about 60 feet high by trees. I use homebrew "L" and "T" networks for tuning this wire antenna and it seems to perform well.

Sorry to report that the Quad has been downsized to a 2 element antenna on the 8 foot boom. The antenna in the pictures turned out to be tough on the rotor when the winds built up. I first changed to a center mounted Quad on the 20 foot boom, but just in 2010, I downsized to the 2 element quad on the 8 foot boom using a Ratpak relay box. The design is based on this article by K0SR. The 160M transmit antenna is an inverted “L”, the 80M is a quarter wave wire vertical, both the 160M & 80M antennas have about 16 ground radials. Also, there is a Hustler 6BTV for 40M & 30M and other bands if needed.

         I have made many friends through amateur radio. Wherever I have lived, amateur radio has always provided an opportunity to meet people with a common interest. I am very grateful to the hobby because of this and try to return something to make it better. I participate as a volunteer examiner with the Monongalia Wireless Association in administering FCC exams. I try to recruit new amateurs whenever the opportunity presents itself. My son, W8TSW, is tech plus and I enjoy talking to him on the air. My doggie, SM0KEY (with apologies to the ham in Sweden who might get this unassigned callsign) participates in my voice QSOs.

I am sorry to report that our beloved Smokey passed on August 6, 2010. We have adopted two wonderful dogs, Luckey and his Mom, Annie from the Humane Society of Harrison County.

        At the age of fourteen, I was first licensed as WN3JGY and have been an active amateur radio amateur ever since. After upgrading to WA3JGY, I held that call until the first "vanity" callsign program of the FCC in 1976 when I upgraded to Extra class and became K3JT. My interests have always been CW operating, chasing DX and contesting. Along with that comes an interest in home-brew antennas and fixing old radios (a necessity for me to stay on the air it seems!).

I developed a fascination with operating DX on the 160 Meter Band. The thrill of making long distance contacts on frequencies just above the AM broadcast band continues to fascinate me. I have 139 countries confirmed on 160 now and hope to make more progress on 160M DX.   Please look for me on the air, mostly on CW, but with some SSB operation, in contests or otherwise. I always enjoy making contacts and talking with anyone interested in this great hobby of ours.  73.