My friends all call me RC, so I hope you will too.
A Little Ham Background…
I was first liscensed in 1989 as a Novice (KB5JDW), I quickly upgraded to Technician Plus and was assigned the Call Sign N5ORO. Tana & I let our tickets lapse. Upon retesting; I was assigned the Call Sign KI5ELM, which I held for about Fourteen days before upgrading to Amateur Extra Class and requesting my original 1×3 Call Sign, N5ORO. In my spare time, I enjoy serving as an ARRL Liaison & Team Lead for our local Volunteer Examiner Team (In person sessions 3rd Tuesday evening of every month at 7 PM local).
- My primary interests in the hobby include:
As an ARRL Volunteer Examiner and enjoy helping others enter and advance in our hobby. When I’m not on the radio, I spend time building and testing various antenna designs, particularly interested in wire antennas for HF operation.
My operating preferences lean towards CW operation, though I do enjoy SSB during nets and emergency communication exercises. You can often find me participating in:
- ARES Activities
- Local Club Events
- CW or SSB Rag Chews
- Field Day Activities and Such
My Station:
- Yaesu FT-710 (Main HF Rig)
- Ten Tec Omni VI+ (Backup Rig)
- Kenwood TS-830s (Vintage Nets/Special Events)
- Ameritron AL-80 (1KW) Amplifier (Prime Industries)
- Kent Paddles (the Backup/Field Day Key)
- Begali Pearl Paddles (my ‘Daily Driver’)
Antennas
- Homebrew 160 M Delta Loop (Fed with 450 Ohm Window Line)
- Homebrew Experimental 20 ft. End-Fed Multi-Band Vertical Antenna (EFMVA?) Fed using a 9:1 Homebrew Balun (promising results!)
- Homebrew 17 M Rotatable Dipole
My Professional Background…
I had the great privilege of serving in the Gospel Ministry actively for over 30 years. Working my way through College and Seminary as a Heavy Construction Inspector. With a wife and 3 boys.
Ordained in May, 1986 I served in Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Sr. Pastorates. (And ‘oft times; Maintenance, as well as Custodial roles.) I never wanted, nor planned, to retire. If one truly ever retires from the Ministry; prior to dying, that is. But then I had a health adventure (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). Afterwards; I no longer could keep the 80 plus hour per week pace that an active Church deserves. So, as a Cancer Survivor, I suppose I’m Semi-Retired. Just Weddings, Funerals, Last Calls for SK’s, and an occasional Counseling Session.
I reckon that’s purtneer enough ’bout me. So, 73 dit dit