I'd been wanting to get into Amateur Radio for years, but never got around to it. With success I was licensed and obtained the callsign VA3RKO. I've been absolutely enjoying it and spend most of my time on HF Bands chasing DX. Recently logged my 285th DXCC entity with 230 confirmed. Enjoy DX and just plain Ragchew. Presently working 70 cm, 2, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 40 and 80 meters. When home, my HF
rig is usually on and I also monitor VHF - VA3ARE - 147.240 - IRLP node 2280. Anytime you hear me on the bands, please give me a yell. Also working on my Advanced Certification. Awards: DXCC
Member of:
Radio Amateurs of Canada
Renfrew County ARES East
My gear consists of:
HF Rig - Kenwood TS-950SD and SP-950 with a R0DE PROCASTER microphone into some W2IHY gear driving a Yaesu FL-2100B amplifier. An Intel Quad Core System running HRD & PowerSDR/IF Stage with an LP-PAN adds a Bandscope and Hi-Fi Audio to my TS-950SD. A Palstar PM2000A power meter/swr bridge and Palstar AT1KM tuner help keep things legal and resonant. Ham Radio Deluxe Version 5.0 is also used for CAT and Logging - the station is controllable via the Internet. VHF Rig - Yaesu FT-2900R into a Comet GP-3 at 50 feet on top of the EXP-14 as shown below. A Wouxun KG-UVD1P Dual Band HT as well as the R0DE Procaster is shown. Uniden Bearcat BCD996T Digital scanner is on most of the time as well. The 4 element quad band topped with a Comet GP-3 VHF/UHF omni were safely installed on a beautiful early November morning in 2009. Hy-Gain Explorer-14 with 40 Meter add-on kit about 50 feet up. A CDE Ham III Rotator keeps things moving. Luckily as the driven element is 42' long, the neighbours are more intrigued by this monster than upset.
