W7LUD

History

Ham Radio Operator since age 12 with Novice license and as a teenager passed General Class (in the days of 13 WPM code requirements taken at the FCC building). In 2010, I accidently forgot to renew my license, so I retook Tech, General, and added Extra Class exams. 

My father (W7QHX) and grandfather (N7EFR-SK) are/were hams too . So are/were my Sister-In-Law (WA8MQT),  Brother-in-Law (KD7OR), and Father-in-Law (WB8RKP-SK). So, I guess it is in the family spirit. 

I am retired Air Force - I was a pilot, intel officer, scientist and my last two jobs in the military as Computer Science Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and Flight Commander of a Radar Evaluation Squadron (84 RADES) for Air Combat Command.  Later was CEO of a wireless high-tech company on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Townsend, Washington State.  Currently, I am a Professor of Mathematics at Washington State University and Professor of Computer Science at Wright State University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellaludlow/

http://www.math.wsu.edu/faculty/nludlow/

Interests

Enjoy CW, HF and especially enjoy weak signal VHF/UHF/Microwave Simplex, experimenting with new antennas, and yearly ARRL Field Day camping trips with my father.

In 2015, I won the Single-Operator Portable category for the ARRL VHF September contest.  I enjoy taking my truck camper to mountain tops and working weak-signal VHF/UHF/L-Bands.  Willing to activate a rare maidenhead grid for FFMA.

Working on ways to make my truck camper more ham-radio ready than my typical long setup of a "science project."  Recently bought an 8-port coax switch that I look forward to installing rather than routing coaxes through the window.  Also trying to find a good combination of HF and VHF antenna(s) that can be permanently or quickly setup on my truck or camper. Have any suggestions?

My current quick antenna is a spiderbeam pole I attach to side of my camper and it is a combo 40m dipole and a 20m vertical.  Now thinking of making into a 40m loop so I can feed it from the bottom.  Ideas?

Bands

160m / 80m /  60m / 40m / 30m / 20m / 17m / 15m / 12m / 10m / 6m / 2m / 1.25m / 70cm / 33cm / 23cm

Rigs 

    -- ICOM-7100 (Use this on ARRL VHF Contests, Field Day, Mobile/Portable)

    -- Yaseu FT DX 5000 (new rig for me - its main rig in my home shack)

    -- ICOM-9100 (to experiment with Satellite and 23cm L-Band - I need to spend more time on this radio)

    -- Three Mobile Rigs: ICOM-7000, Kenwood TM-D710A with external GPS for APRS, and Alinco DR-235T/220Mhz

    -- Three handhelds: Kenwood TH-D72A (APRS), and Alinco 220/900 Mhz DJ-G29T, and 144/430/1200 Mhz Alinco DJ-G7 

    -- And an old Hallicrafter S-76 Receiver that our family got for christmas (I was age 9 and used it to learn Morse Code)

 

Antennas

   -- 160m Skywire Loop - 547' full-wave 160m Horizontal Loop up about 60'). Just raised this antenna on May 15th-new antenna for me.  It seems to work well on low end of 160m and 80m without a tuner and all the HF bands 40m and up with SWR under 1.7.  Seem to get some nice gain on 20m.   Used a 4:1 MFJ-913 Balan.  I like the choice between my horizontal and vertical loops as they clearly have different radiation patterns in the multiple wavelengths and allow a good choice. Got a 5-9 report on it from South Africa (ZS3Y) via longpath on 20m - his beam was pointed to Australia - so it does radiate.

   -- 80m Vertical Loop - 276' full-wave 80m Vertical Loop - vertically fed.  The top of loop is up at 67' and the  bottom of loop at 25'  This antenna is cut for 3.55MHz with clean multiples and has a broad 1.2-1.7 SWR for every amateur band from 40m to 2m.  I use a 4:1 current Balan.  I really like this antenna as great all around performer, and don't need to use a tuner! Also seems a 1-2dB lower noise floor than previous dipole for 80 and 40m.

   -- 40m Vertical - elevated base starts at 34', 4 radials, 33' fixed wire now on a no longer working SteppIR BigIR Vertical. Top of vertical is 67'.

   -- Various beams and Squalos for horizontal polarization on VHF/UHF/SHF

   -- Recently reactivated my KIO hex beam for Field Day - worked well on 20m.  I used it on a rotor attached to my truck camper.  Worked very well.  Decided to add 6m to it.  I had it up in my backyard now (temporary installation only at 20 feet) but works very well for being so low...except not so good idea as it fell over and cracked three fiberglass spreaders.  So I took off the wire and ordered new fiberglass spreaders (awaiting these).  I also ordered a Yaesu rotor that just arrived today, and plan (may need some help) to take down my 40m vertical on roof of my house (which is marginal antenna) and repair the hex beam and try to get it up at 40' with rotor.  At least that's the plan.  Also plan to help my Dad get a long-wire antenna in the trees at his house in Ocean Shores.  Then we can do a CW sked :-) 

Ham Related Groups I am a member of

QSL

I try to 100% QSL - both here at QRZ Logbook, and eQSL and LOTW, as well as send a QSL card via mail.  If I miss our QSO or you need a QSL confirmation - online or a QSL card old-fashioned way in the mail, please let me know.  No need for SASE or postage, just send me a card and I'll gladly send you one back. 

My QSL address below:

Dr. Nella Ludlow / W7LUD

733 Parkridge Dr.

Port Townsend, WA 98368-2801

USA

Email

W7LUD@arrl.net or Nella.Ludlow@gmail.com

Closing

This is a great hobby.  I thank my father W7QHX for teaching me electronics, mathematics and Morse Code.  My love of Ham Radio is because of him.

If you hear me on the air, I'd love to get a signal report or have a QSO.  I am usually trying out a new antenna or piece of gear and welcome a signal report.  Although I have worked all states and all continents several times over, I am now formally submitting all my *recent* contacts to work towards WAS and endorsements.  If you are willing, I'd love to get a LOTW and QRZ acknowledgement via your QSL reply.

73 and Good luck with DX,

Nella Ludlow

 

Field Day 2020 with Hex Beam and some Dipoles on camper.  Check out Flagpole Buddy pole on side of camper to hold up dipoles.  Now I am using a Spiderpole to get 40' up.

My QSL Card below

Me using APRS on the road with GPS. 

 

ARRL VHF September Contest at 4000 feet elevation with LOS view of nearly all of Western WA and parts of NW Oregon. Have a 6m, 2m, 70cm beam and 220 MHz Vertical. I like this location for VHF contests.

Winner of 2015 ARRL VHF September - "Single Operator Portable" Category after several years of second place nationally :-) I need to get back out there in September to see if I can make some VHF QSOs again.

Santa Nella - basically just a stop on Highway I-5 in Central California.

 

A couple birds on my 160m Horizontal Loop. They seem pleased a new place to rest.

My hometown and QTH -  PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON STATE - I love living here.  Rain and Fog much of the year but Summers are beautiful.

Look forward to meeting on the air.