Member Bio

I am a Ham in the small town of Scheller, IL (Southern, IL near Mt. Vernon, IL) I have been off the air for almost 25 years and just got back into radio in about July but just recently got almost all of my antennas in place. My older Brother was AA9TJ David M. Shurtz I had his call sign canceled by the FCC after he fell from the top of my 50-foot tower on Aug. 17th, 2020 while trying to put up a wire antenna for me since I am disabled and have cancer. I gave CPR and got him going and he was life-flighted to 2 different hospitals for several surgeries but his kidneys failed and he passed on Aug. 26th, 2020 just 16 days after our mother passed from Cancer. I dedicated to myself that I would get the rest of my ham station set up and working to honor all that my brother has done for me. I got David into ham radio several years ago and have spent many nights talking to him and my friends on 160 meters on or about 1.880.00 Mhz LSB and I just got back on 160 recently and reacquainted with many of my good friends there. There have been many Hams help me recently to get back into the hobby since funds are pretty low being on a fixed income disabled and with diabetes and cancer. My only goal that was left on my bucket list was to get an amplifier which is pretty much needed on 160 meters and I just was lucky enough to find a kind soul that sold me a TL-922A cheap enough that I could afford to pay for it after a couple of disability checks came in. Thanks for reading my Bio and tribute to my Brother David Mark Shurtz Dec. 22nd, 1955 – Aug. 26th, 2020 may he rest in peace in the constant care of our Lord Jesus Christ and God Almighty.