Member Bio

Hi all. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in USS CARR (FFG-52) and USS RAMAGE (DDG-61). I also volunteer with the charity Bugles Across America, and play Taps at the funerals of our nations veterans. I’m having fun making new contacts and prefer SSB over anything digital. I’m studying for my Amateur Extra and trying to learn CW.

How did I get started in amateur radio? I bought a Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio before I was licensed — just out of curiosity. I had no idea how to really use the radio and I wasn’t about to key it up. In September 2023 I finally got serious about learning how to use the Baofeng and earn my HAM radio license, so I signed up with www.HamRadioPrep.com for their online study guides and practice exams. I earned my Technician license on October 3, 2023 and my General license on December 5, 2023. I immediately started learning how to program and use my UV-5R in the truck. Then I added a 2m/70cm antenna to my truck so I could get better TX/RX from the little HT.

I continued studying hard through www.HamRadioPrep.com to earn my General license and found some hot deals on ICOM radios through QRZ: an ID-5100 and an IC-7100. Shortly after, a local Elmer was selling a gorgeous IC-7300 so I grabbed it too. To make use of the IC-7300, I bought a 10m crossed double bazooka antenna from W5RD and almost immediately made a DX contact to the Czech Republic! Another local ham (N4LMM) was nice enough to come over to the house and recommend a wire antenna placement. Once I had gathered all of the materials, I strung up a 40m delta loop (on the recommendation of WA2HQL). Since putting up the 40m delta loop, I’ve been making SSB and FT8 contacts left and right — even though the antenna is a bit sloppy and is probably a few feet over the recommended length for the 40m delta loop design. I also picked up a second-hand flagpole antenna and use it occasionally, but not as often as the 40m delta loop.

My next antenna related goals are to move the 10m crossed double bazooka and the 17m crossed double bazooka antennas out into the yard (in stealth mode to avoid fines from the HOA), and to build a 15m oval Moxon antenna on the advice of W8TJM with some spare components lying around the house. I think the 15m oval Moxon antenna will probably work nicely for portable operations and can’t wait to try it out.

My next HAM radio related goals are to earn my Amateur Extra license and learn how to take advantage of D-Star and YSF digital radio modes.

Have a great day!

73 de KQ4LQN

The USS CARR (FFG-52) was my first ship. I took this photo while leaning out the door of a SH-60B helicopter after returning from a photo reconnaissance mission. My primary role was an an Operations Specialist, working in Combat Information Center.

The USS RAMAGE (DDG-61) was my second ship. I was fortunate to have been one of the commissioning crew which carries the title of “Plankowner”. My primary role was working as an Operations Specialist, but I was also one of the ship’s Anti-Submarine Tactical Air Controllers (ASTAC). This meant I was the mission controller for SH-60B helicopters and P-3 fixed wing aircraft to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Over The Horizon Anti-Surface Warfare (OTH ASUW), and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

OS3 Matthews, underway on USS CARR (FFG-52)

Bugles Across America honors our nations veterans with live Taps at their funerals.

Preparing to provide live Taps at a graveside service.

I’m also a founding member of the World Radio League.