Member Bio

W7GPJ SHACK STATION – Updated 11/2023

Since college graduation in 1981, I have been fascinated with the technology of amateur radio. I’m interested in how hams explore electromagnetic waves for communicating around the world, chatting in morse code, accessing satellites and bouncing signals off the moon. I finally decided to become a ham upon my retirement from the Department of Energy in January 2021.  I achieved the Technician license in October 2021 and was assigned KO4TWW call sign.  I continued with my ham education and obtained the General license in January 2022. Then, I got my Extra ticket in September 2022.  I applied for and was granted a vanity call sign (W7GPJ) in November 2022. I live in a neighborhood with HOA restrictions so I’m attempting to build an efficient station, i.e., limited antennas and reflection losses. Overall, my goal is to make QSOs, chase awards and DXing.  Additionally, I plan to incorporate CW, POTA and satellite communication activities as part of my ham adventure. I QSL in QRZ, LoTW, and eQSL. I’m a member of the Amateur Radio Relay League and OMIK Amateur Radio Association, Inc. If you request a card, I will send you one.

Below are images of my Shack:

Transceivers

• Yaesu FT-991A HF/VHF/UHF All-Mode Transceiver
• Yaesu FT-1000MP All-Mode HF Transceiver

Antennas

• My Antenna EFHW 8010 @ 40′ in an Inverted-L Configuration
• Comet GP-3 2m/70cm Dual Band Ground Plane @ 30′
• MFJ-1886TR Loop, Receiving, T/R SW, 0.5 to 30 MHz (Future)

Amplifier

• Ameritron AL-80B HF Linear Power Amplifier

Station Efficiency Equipment

• Palstar AT2K Antenna Tuner
• Telapost LP 500 Digital Station Monitor
• Sysjoint NanoVNA-F V2 Portable Vector Network Analyzer
• MFJ 269D Antenna Analyzer

Personal Information/Other Interests

Education:

• MS State University – College of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, 1981
• Southern Methodist University – Master of Science, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1997

Other Interests:

• Bow and Crossbow Hunting
• Long Range Shooting
• Stock Market Analysis