Biography
Born in Michigan, Lived in California, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska and California again for 25 years, then moved to Upper East Tennessee in 1997, and wouldn't think of leaving.
After a 50 yr absence from being an SWL with an RME receiver and a long wire, "some little" Morse Code, I was looking forward to retirement from the active Ecclesiastical Cat Herding tradition-- 40 yrs as a Lutheran Pastor, (and getting to be "emeritis" as the non-erudite media have it) and so, having had a chance to get a ticket, I took it. . Since the no-code thing was available, I in short order passed it, and General and Extra, as well.
I am thoroughly enjoying, as Solon of Athens opined, growing old learning many new things.Since I had at one time wanted to be an EE, i have done, and still do lots of trade magazine reading in the field of electronics, design, and engineering. It is becoming more familiar, although the math sometimes mystifies me as much as the Greek aorist or Hebrew Qal perfect.
I operate mostly SSB, and am currently learning the digital modes --a never-ending process it appears. CW ahead in the winters, I hope.
I am active in Emcom and ARES, our local hospital nets, and do Disaster Recovery things for my ecclesiastical organization. As a certified Chaplain, I do some Crisis response work for Fire, Rescue and EMS. I also am an active Chaplain with a local Police Agency in Morristown Tennessee. Staying busy.
Thanks for looking, and see you on the bands.
73 de John, WW4JF
Worked DXCCs:
Equipment
I have an Icom 7000 which may yet get to go mobile instead of just portable. I also have a collection of 2 meter, 220 MHz and 440 MHz base and handhelds, including Icom, Kenwood, Wouxun and Yaesu, a CS750, a Motorola 6550, 7550e and a couple of 5550's. Sonn we hope to put up a DMR repeater on a nearby tower.My DMR number is 3147161.
Upon retirement, I built the Elecraft K Line, a loaded K3, a KPA500, a KAT500, and added the new little one, the KX3. I am very pleased with the design ideals behind the Elecraft products. And, the support is without equal.
As for antennae, mobile I use Diamond, Larsen, Comet and Yaesu and am satisfied. Someday a Tarheel, Scorpion or a Hi Q may show up. But, living on a dirt road means lots of ground plane maintenance on the truck and constant tree trimming.
Portable antennae are an Eagle One vertical, a TransWorld Traveler "lazy H" dipole for 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters, plus a Buddipole Deluxe and the ubiquitous random long wires. They work well in the field.
At the home QTH, I have a caged dipole cut for 80 meters, another Eagle One vertical, and now a K4KIO hexbeam on a Create roof tower and really like that antenna.It plays well 20 through 6 meters, and is even low SWR on VHF. Then summer should bring a loop or two. Then... who knows? A Moxon, a mag loop? Is this a great hobby, or what?