More Than a Hobby
Amateur radio became the foundation of my professional career as an electronics engineer. I was first licensed as a novice in 1972 as WN9JPS, after taking classes with the McHenry County (Illinois) Amateur Radio Club. Within two years, I had my extra. In August 2014 I finally got my current vanity callsign, NA6O. Great for CW. Look me up on QRZ.
NA6O (Ex- WB9JPS)
My station in Crystal Lake in 1979. That’s a Drake TR-4 with all the accessories. And a memory keyer that I built that was a perfect match. It was a great rig. Photo by Randy Dunning, KC5QHH.
These days, I operate via a very nice remote station, W6SRR, located high on a ridge top where we have a K3/KPA1500 and decent antennas. The DX is fantastic.
I’m a member of ARRL, RSGB, CWops, and the Northern California Contest Club... among other things.
Some photos taken at my remote station, W6SRR, co-owned by Ian, W6TCP:
These are some of the “keys to my success”. A Begali Sculpture, a 1963 Vibroplex Deluxe Original, a 1938 McElroy Deluxe, and my Cocobolo hand key.
Also see my Bugs page.
Regarding presentations, most of these are available in PowerPoint format upon request. I am also happy to present these via Zoom (or in-person to local clubs).
Helping Blind Hams
Several years ago, I became friends with a blind ham, Summer Hartzfeld VE5SDH, the first blind person I had ever known. That "opened my eyes" to the blind community and I've become involved with their activities and especially in helping directly by donating equipment. This has been very rewarding and is in keeping with the ham radio tradition of helping each other. Read all about my blind ham efforts here.
Summer and her guide dog, Lake