KW5CW

My journey into Amateur Radio began when I was just age 14 back in 1966, when I built a Heathkit HW16 CW transceiver for 80 40 and 15 meters. I was first licensed as a novice operator holding the call -  WN8ZIQ back in the day, then gradually moved up next as WA8ZIQ (Technician and General class), KC8NZ (Advanced Class), finally reaching the rank (Extra Class)  – KT8D before graduating high school in 1970. During the entire tenure of acquiring my licenses, Morse code was a mandatory requirement for a license, up to 20 WPM.

After almost 51 years into this hobby, I can be found 99% of the time running 40 meter CW around 7.045. That was until JT65, JT9 and the new FT8 mode appeared on the scene.  My love for CW had prompted me to relinquish my 2 x 1 call and acquire my 5^th call and present vanity call KW5CW, and YES, I’m crazy for CW - SKCC# 6349.... 10-10# 9370.

My radio station consists of various brands of radios. Currently, I run the Kenwood TS-590SG, after acquiring it as a door prize in 2016 from a newly opened store in Plano, Texas called Ham Radio Outlet. Just two weeks after winning that fantastic radio, I won a second door prize,another low band mobile radio from HRO, the Alinco DX-SR9T which I use as a mobile CW rig when I’m out-and-about. Prior to those winnings, I never won so much as a ‘red-cent’.  I also use older Drake equipment, including the TR7 solid state transceiver, MN2700 tuner and most all Drake accessories.

As far as antennas, I sport wire antennas because of HOA limitations at my residence, and also frequently use a short inductively coupled 40 meter vertical, ground mounted and stands at 8 feet tall. The antenna design is the brain-child of my good friend and fellow CW operator who resides in Girard Ohio - Don Moler – N8BKR. Other antennas I use are a magnetic loop antenna on 20 and 40 which I use indoors and used to use my ground mounted 24 foot 6BTV Huster vertical until someone complained to the HOA. 

Presently, I belong to the Grayson County Amateur Radio Club (GCARC) located in Sherman, Texas and was the Vice-President of the Club from 2016 and 2017. As a member and officer, I also became involved teaching Morse code classes, one in 2015, and another in 2016 as I thoroughly enjoy helping others learn the almost lost art of CW. Also, I recently became active on the digital modes - JT9 and JT65, thanks to my friend from Sherman Texas - Lee - N5SLY who is the master of all Digital modes. Since my involvement in digital, I've also become active in the new FT-8 mode, and actively promote this mode to friends within the club.

I recently became a member of Army Mars (Military Affiliate Radio System), and presently hold the call of AAR6CO/T, as I'm still a trainee in the organization.

I have also developed and presently maintain the Grayson County Amateur Radio Club website, located at www.graysoncountyarc.org. It went live on the internet on March 11th, 2018 just 2 weeks after my retirement, right after a general club meeting where I demonstrated the website overhead. No longer an officer of the club, I still am active with the club, as I also create and maintain the club monthly newsletter that is sent out to almost 500 hams. Each year, I also participate in club sponsored events such as the Perrin Field Special Event, Red River Bridge War special event, and the Eisenhower special event using the W5I call. Each special event lasts for approximately 2 weeks. I've been active with the club since 2016 in their Field Day each June using the club call of K5GCC.

At the present time I am now retired from Big Blue as a computer engineer maintaining IBM mainframe hardware such as CPU’s, data libraries, data storage disk systems and attached network devices. The special retirement day finally arrived on February 28, 2018 after 25 years of service with IBM.

I will continue to build up my contesting skills to participate in most ARRL and CQ CW contests that run throughout the year along with traveling in the mobile and maybe participate in a DX-pedition or two.  One of my short term goals would be to go back home to Youngstown, Ohio and hookup with an old friend, K3LR of DX-Engineering and maybe work another contest with him, and maybe even go on a DX-pedition with him some day.

My wife, Virginia, whom I married in 2008 after two other failed marriages, is the love of my life. She claims that she will get into this hobby soon, as she refers my CW operations as ‘dit-dit’. She claims I ‘dit-dit’ allot and she’s right. 

If you happened to work me on CW, I hope that I brightened up your day alittle. I will e-qsl & LOTW for QSO confirmation and also would like to receive them when possible.

  DX Code of Conduct

• I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
• I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.
• I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling.
• I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.
• I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
• I will always send my full call sign.
• I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.
• I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
• I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
• I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.
• When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.
• I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
• I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect. 

73 and HAPPY CW HUNTING

 James – KW5CW