My interests in amateur radio started in 1955. I attended a local radio/electronic school, at the expense of the good old GI bill, and earned my First Class Commercial Radio License in 1955. My interests turned to amateur radio and I got my first ham ticket as a novice, WN8FXM, in 1956. I didn't have much success as a novice, as I had no Elmer, and lost interest -- I didn't upgrade and my license expired. I got interested again in 1966 and got my current call, WA8TPP, in 1966 and went on the air as with a Technician class license. I worked many states on 6 meters and some on 2 meters. With the changes in the rules I was automatically upgraded to a Tech Plus and got on the 10 meter band working many foreign countries. I now have received my W.A.S. certificate. It took a long time for that last state, Alaska. It is a nice feeling to know that you talked to someone in every state. It is now time to work on the DXCC. I have about 60 countries confirmed but those 40 to go will be a problem if 10 meters doesn't open up as it was a few months back. I guess it will come with time and patience.
Well now with the licensing restructuring, which were effective the 15th of April, 2000, I was able to upgrade to General. I expect that my main HF interests will remain on 10 meters as I am quite active in Ten-Ten International. I am happy now to be on all the HF bands. I have upgraded my HF transceiver to a brand new out of the box KenwoodTS570D(G) which has all the modes, auto antenna tuner and DSP audio. It is a delight to use and has helped confirm many new DX countries.
I am active as a Director in the Northern Ohio Repeater Management Assoc., Inc. We operate three repeaters in Northeast Ohio. I am also a member of several radio clubs in the Cleveland, OH area. My QTH is in Mentor, OH which is about 25 due east of downtown Cleveland. I am currently the President of the Geauga County Amateur Radio Association (G.A.R.A.) and Vice-president of Cleveland Chapter No. 1, QCWA
Working conditions at the QTH include a Kenwood TS570D(G) on the low bands and a Icom IC229A for 2 meters. Antennas include a 3 element monobander and an Antron A-99 vertical for 10 meters plus a long wire. I use a Ringo Ranger for 2 meters. Mobile operation include a Uniden HR2600 10 meter rig and a Icom IC228A for 2 meters. Antennas are both base loaded 5/8 wave mag mounts for both bands. I even got my wife to let me put a Kenwood TM-261 2 Meter rig in her car along with a glass mount antenna.
My interests in trains and railroads stems back to my first Christmas when I got my first train. (I was only 7 months old.) I think my Dad really wanted it. Well, ever since then I have had a train and I still have the original one. It is now 66 years old. I model in HO scale. I started my first layout in the late '50s and have had a layout of some sort ever since. My current layout is small due to space consideration but I enjoy it. I guess it will never be finished. It is approx. 50" by 16 feet long and is in the basement. It has two main lines plus a number of sidings and a yard with a small turntable. I currently belong to a railroad group that meets once a week at one of the members' home. The meeting location rotates throughout the month. Member are in different scales, mostly O Scale and HO Scale. Two of the members are heavy in O Gauge (Lionel). Most of the layouts are at a point of completion -- that is no new work, other than maintenance, take place. Of course, we do solve all the world problems at the meetings.
My wife, Mary, and I love to take train excursion trips and do so whenever possible. We have taken a number on the Norfolk Southern (NS) when they were running steam trips. We have ridden behind both the #611 Class "J" and the #1218 Class "A" and they were fun! We have just recently taken a short excursion on the Ohio Central out of Sugarcreek, OH. They are a 385 mile freight line that runs short and long trips behind steam throughout the year. In the summer they operated daily but, unfortunately, this is the last year for their daily operation. We just had to go once more. There is a link to their web site on my link page. Check them out -- they have an impressive roster of steam, diesel and passenger equipment. Another railroad we have been to recently is the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad out of Titusville, PA. They have a very nice collection and operate the only active rolling post office car. You can send your postcards with a RPO cancellation. There is also a link to the OC&TRR on my link page. Another railroad we have been to, but not recently, is the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Cass WV. They operate geared locomotives like Shays and Heisler's. It is operated by the WV state park system. Really great. There is also a link to the Cass on my link page. Try them out.
This page last updated 10 November, 2000.