My previous callsigns include VQ9D (Seychelles – Before Independence), VQ9D/D (Desroches – British Indian Ocean Territory), S79D (Seychelles – After Independence), VQ9RB(Diego Garcia – British Indian Ocean Territory (5/90 through 5/93), G0/WB4YZU (United Kingdom), WB4YZU, and K4FTW. I was first licensed in 1967 as a Novice (WN4FCS) and then as a General/Conditional while overseas. I upgraded to Extra in 1993 when I returned to the USA, and also hold a GROL commercial license and work in the Land Mobile Service (Public Safety), managing and maintaining an 800MHz Motorola P25 Trunking System .
2018 marks 51 years since I was first licensed.
I am an ARRL Volunteer License Instructor, an ARRL VE, am involved in my local club, the Peninsula Amateur Radio Club (PARC), my church, and have been involved in the BSA Scouting program most of my life. I really enjoy “giving back” to these organizations.
I am a veteran, and spent six years in the U. S. Navy, leaving as an Aviation Electronics Technician FIrst Class.
I currently operate with a Icom IC-7300 to a home-brewed 31-ft wire vertical fed with an AT-100 Pro II tuner and a 4:1 Un-Un, and am getting excellent results with it. For portable operation I use a YouKits HB1B or a Yaesu FT-817nd and an W1SFR 40-6 meter end-fed antenna with an EMTECH ZM-2 ATU. I also work digital modes (JT-65, JT-9, FT8, PSK, RTTY, etc.). The CW end of the business is with a Kent Twin-Paddle TP-1 key and a WinKeyer USB (unless I have dusted off the straight key).
For portable HF operations, I also may use a Wolf River Coils Silver Bullet 1000 TIA antenna system.
I am also active on 2 meters FM, 70 centimeters FM, and 70 centimeters DMR (Digital).
I use DXLab software for rig control and logging, WSJT-X for JT-65/JT-9/FT8, and FlDigi for whatever digital modes are left.
For those that care about detail, my Grid square is FM17SB46MH. That should put you in my living room!
For QSLs, I will accommodate you any way that I can. I regularly update LOTW, eQSL, QRZ, and ClubLog. Direct QSLs are always welcome.
You can keep track of my “adventures” on my blog here at http://n4bc.com.
73 de Dick N4BC
QCWA # 36139 SKCC # 10710 NAQCC # 6947
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