HOME: Flex-6600M with a 43′ vertical antenna and K4KIO Hex Beam.
MOBILE: Kenwood TM-710GA in my 2014 Ram running APRS as K7VZ-9.
PORTABLE: Yaesu FT-857D with Yaesu ATAS-120A or Buddipole antenna.
WEATHER: https://www.silhanek.com/weather/
Weather data is collected from a Davis Vantage Vue weather station, processed by weewx software that runs on a Raspberry Pi.
Also uploaded/viewable on: APRS/CWOP K7AZM – Weather Underground – PWSWeather.com
Background:
My father-in-law, Dave KE7NEG SK, convinced me to get my Amateur Radio license in 2007. We were spending a lot of time 4 wheeling and camping all over AZ and the southwest and needed better communication. I was a founding member of the 4×4 Ham club and involved with the Arizona Repeater Association for several years. I became very active with MCECG and emergecny communication support. I have served the ARRL in several Arizona Section roles, most importantly, getting SB1132 passed in 2017 which redirected funding to ARCA to support Amateur Radio. I am currently active with the CADXA, serving as Vice-President.
Operation:
- SSB: I particpate in Field Day, 13 Colonies, and Route 66 events each year.
- POTA: I have worked POTA stations over the years, but never put any real effort into it. I registered on POTA.app site at Thankgiving 2022 and found I had 38 POTA hunter points. I’ve been hunting fairly aggressivly since then. My first POTA activation was on January 21, 2023 where I worked 18 stations on SSB during a SSB contest. It was Support Your Parks weekend as well. I plan many more POTA activations in the future as well as continuing to hunt.
- VOTA: I’m still listed as Arizona Assistant Section Manager even though I haven’t been actively particpating in the role. During the ARRL VOTA 2023, it appears I’m worth 35 points if you work me although the leaderboard is still under development.
- FT8: I joined the FT8 craze in 2017 with everyone else and enjoyed particpating in the 2018 ARRL Grid Chase finishing 1241st overall and 16th in AZ. One of my goals has been FT8 only WAS on each band, completing 80 through 10m (80m, 60m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m) I’m missing 5 states to complete 6m and still don’t have an antenna for 160m.
- FT4: I’m also working towards WAS on FT4 with 40m and 20m completed. FT8 is slooooooow after spending time on FT4. Try it out!
- RTTY: I’ve worked a few RTTY contests and enjoy the change vs. FT modes all the time. I need 3 more states for a RTTY WAS. (ND, OK, VT)
QSL:
I use N3FJP ACLog which automatically uploads to LOTW, QRZ, and ClubLog. If you’re in my log, I will QSL. SASE makes it easier, but not required. I syncronize my log from LOTW to QRZ about once a month. I will also reply to direct or bureau cards. It’s nice to get points for awards via the electronic systems, but you just can’t replace the fun of getting a paper card in the mail.
-Virgil K7VZ