Late in 2015, the HAM itch resurfaced from my first interest in the 1990s. I passed my Technician on 11-25-2015. Then, thanks to the peer pressure of WØEBV, I passed my General on 01-09-2016. I passed my Extra on 03-28-2016!!!!
My original call sign was KEØGTT…NØRVS is my vanity sign. I think I might keep it for a while since the last three letters are my initials.
A Quiet Wyoming Gem for Ham Radio Just north of Pinedale, Wyoming, beneath the jagged skyline of the Wind River Mountains, lies Soda Lake — a broad, turquoise-colored basin that glows under the high-altitude sun. We’ve returned here a few times over the years, drawn back each time by the quiet solitude, the sweeping mountain views, and the wide-open radio horizon. This trip was no exception — two peaceful days of camping, hiking, and low-power Read More …
Field Day in the Shoshone National Forest – 2025 Recap This year’s ARRL Field Day found me traveling through the scenic wilds of Wyoming, specifically in the Shoshone National Forest at Fiddlers Lake Campground (grid square DN52np). Despite being off-grid and running solely on emergency power, I was able to jump into Field Day and make the most of it. Day 1: Digital Start, SSB Wins I operated 1B battery on my 12 amp hour Read More …
POTA at Dugway Recreation Site – Two Days, Two Activations, and Plenty of Fun This weekend I had the chance to activate a new-to-me POTA location: the Dugway Recreation Site BLM Management Area, a quiet and scenic spot tucked right alongside the North Platte River. I ended up activating the park twice over two days, and both sessions turned out to be short but satisfying. Day 1 – FT8 Contact Run For the first activation, Read More …
Today marked my ninth activation of Medicine Bow National Forest (POTA Park US-4403) over the past two years. This place never gets old—quiet surroundings, good elevation, and reliable propagation make it a go-to spot on the map. I split the activation into two sessions, one before brunch and one after. In the morning, I logged 15 confirmed FT8 contacts, which was more than enough for a valid activation. But the bands were still open, so Read More …
Ham Radio Station Report Location: Odenton, Maryland (operating from our daughter’s backyard) Operating Mode: FT8 & Phone Radio Equipment: Xiegu G90 Antenna: 20-meter dipole Transmitter Power: 10 watts RF My portable ham radio station in Odenton, Maryland, setup in our daughter’s backyard, is a remarkable example of how a minimal yet intelligently configured setup can yield impressive results. By employing the Xiegu G90 radio, 20-meter dipole antenna cut to resonance, and leveraging 10 watts of Read More …
Winter Field Day + POTA: Activation at Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Reserve (US-7659) This year’s Winter Field Day was one to remember! I decided to combine the excitement of Winter Field Day with a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation — something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. The chosen spot? Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Reserve, park number US-7659. Despite the cold, the setup went smoothly. I ran with an ICOM 7300 as my transceiver Read More …
Back on VHF After a Long Break: Winter Contesting and First 6m Contacts It’s been a while — a long while — since I’ve participated in a VHF contest. In fact, the last time I hit the bands for a VHF event was back in September VHF 2018. After such a long break, it felt great to jump back in and give it another go. This time around, I decided to step things up a Read More …
A Quiet Work Week, POTA Activation, and Hidden Beauty in Wyoming This past week, we turned a quiet corner of Wyoming into our work-week hideaway. Tucked away from the world, this spot offered the kind of seclusion that’s hard to come by—we saw just one vehicle pass the entire week. It was exactly what we needed. While Gayla was busy giving her video presentation, I took the opportunity to set up my HF radio station Read More …
After a long day behind the wheel, I was more than ready to shut things down and enjoy some peace. We landed at Juniper Point Campground, nestled in Fred Hayes at Starvation State Park, Utah. This spot offered a perfect combo of rugged beauty and radio potential. The evening started simple—steak on the Coleman Camp stove, and some eggs boiled for deviled eggs later in the weekend. Camp cooking doesn’t get much better. But the Read More …
On our way south from Glacier National Park, we made a quick overnight stop at Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. I couldn’t pass up the chance to activate a new POTA park (US-4499), even if it was just a short visit. With limited time and daylight, I went with a simple but reliable setup: a 72-foot random wire tossed into a tree using my throw weight, fed through a 9:1 UNUN. My rig was running just 10 Read More …