I've been a ham since April '09 and my Extra License in June 2010. I QSL 100% by direct mail with SASE and I respond to SASE's immediately.

I'm a member of the Oregon Tualatin Valley Amateur Radio Club (OTVARC) that is located in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. I enjoy contesting, DXing, an occassional ragchew, and taking field trips to set up a radio and my Buddipole. I'm enjoy HF and only used VHF/UHF infrequently however the idea of communicating with satellites or our space station may push me in that direction.

I use an ICOM PRO III without an amplifier for my base station and a FT-857D for a mobile/field unit. Although I live in an antenna restricted area, I've been creative in antenna installations and so far without complaint. I use one of several antennas: Par Electronics End-Fed dipoles on 20M and 40M, a Hustler 5-band vertical, and a Carolina Windom Compact 80 that I will eventually install.

I'm working on my WAS and have acquired 49 States. I'm missing Kentucky and Delaware. In working for the DXCC I have acquired about 50 countries.

Besides radio operations I enjoy flying (commercial license with istrument rating), astronomy, travel, hunting, fishing, photograhpy, and camping.