WA8097SWL

Hello to everyone, I am an SWL amateur radio listener only, non-licensed at this time. Hope to soon try for my tech class eventually.

In the meantime, I utilize various means for listening. Thanks to a ham operator friend, I have a Tecsun PL-680 receiver. Updated: After having tried various antenna configurations that didn't work at all for the Tecsun, I've now built a loop antenna that doesn't just work, but has far more than exceeded any expectations I'd had. Built out of scrap items I'd re-purposed. More than happy with it. I thank my ELMER for encouraging me to keep trying. To date, my furthest rx on this homebrew loop has been from Asiatic Russia.

Also use WebSDR remote operation, with my favorite being K3FEF in NE PA, USA for monitoring. I use Pocket RxTx android app, and numerous other means for monitoring.

I formerly worked in law enforcement, emergency medical services, semi-active member of my local fire dept. Served twice in the US Army & WV Army National Guard. I have used various types of VHF-low, VHF-high, & UHF radios throughout my years of service professionally.

I'm registered with SWARL.org with the designator WA8097SWL, which I use when I sign onto the WebSDRs, QRZ, HamQTH, eQSL.cc, QRZCQ, and various others. (certificate # S9883 issued on 01 July 2018) Apply for yours at:  http://swarl.org/   Understand that this certificate is NOT an amateur radio operator license. It does NOT grant any transmit privileges to the holder. It simply lets various amateur & SWL radio organisations know that your are an SWLer or a monitoring & logging listener. An amateur radio license has to be earned through testing, passing, and the granting of a callsign license in your respective country by it's governing authority. Illegal transmitting on amateur bands without a duly authorized license can result in imprisonment & tens of thousands of dollars in fines. (Starting at $18,000.00 in the U.S.). And once issued, the privilege can be revoked if abused.

I keep a watch on and record solar, atmospheric layer, earthquake & weather data with live feeds on my pc laptops, and sometimes watch & log the POTA (Parks On The Air) activations. https://pota.us/#/ and http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/

There is no shortage of things to learn and experience in this hobby, even as a SWL. I've worked with satellite & ISS beacon tracking simply using a handheld programmable scanner. I practice keeping a logbook of callsigns I hear on the WebSDRs / Pocket RxTx, & Tecsun receiver. Sometimes I'll post a shortened form of my log for the day in an album called Amateur Ham Radio / Shortwave Hobby in my FB amateur radio album to let people get an idea of what amateur & shortwave radio is. See:  https://www.facebook.com/rusty.steele.737/media_set?set=a.1381178758694237&type=3

I also like to monitor the Logan County WV Amateur Radio Club, D-Star Reflectors, WIN Allstar, WAN, Rocky Mountain Radio League, Eastern Arizona ARS, Central WV Amateur Radio, Honolulu County Hawaii amateur repeaters, and Utah 1,2, & 3 SDRs. I'll occasionally log callsigns from many of these as well. But the HF bands are my favorite. Mainly 20 & 40 meters ssb.

I also log to eQSL.cc Not a lot of eQSL card responses, but I get some back. You have to put the hook out there if you want to catch anything at all. (Advice from my ELMER, and he's quite correct). Love logging into eQSL.cc to find I have digital cards waiting for me to download from amateur operators around the world to whom I've sent reception reports to.

I also use Zello as another means for communicating. While of course, not ham radio, and certainly not for contesting, I still see VOIP as another tool by which to enjoy my hobby. There are channels on there that are run by ham operators, and a good way for non hams to meet, greet, and begin learning about the hobby of amateur radio / shortwave listening. I was very fortunate to have met one of my best friends and my amateur radio mentor (ELMER) who brought back my interest in the hobby, (Rick L. - KF5GV) on a Zello channel for ham & shortwave radio listeners that I'd joined on a whim. As well as a few other ham operators I've had the pleasure of making friends with thanks to this tool I've added for my hobby.

In any case, happy DXing to all, and maybe I'll hear your callsign out there and log you on eQSL.

Updated for the worldwide spread of Covid-19: Everyone please stay safe. Follow the self isolation guidelines, and help prevent the further spreading of this deadly virus. The best, most effective means we all have to fight back. Use the extra time to work on those put off radio projects for example. Stay safe!

de WA8097SWL (EJ Steele) Gilbert, Mingo County, WV. / Grid Sq: EM97bo Safe travels & 73