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I have been an amateur radio operator since I was 12 years old. I first got my license (novice) back in 1983 and have been continuously licensed ever since. I did quite a bit of HF back then on my father's equipment (Collins mostly...he had the whole S-Line Collins setup) and also I had a Icom IC-2AT (2 meters) which I thought was the coolest thing ever. It was a really nice radio back then (autopatch before cellphones..haha). In 1984, after traveling to the FCC Field Office in Kansas City, Missouri to take the test, I earned my technician class license (I just turned 14). That same year my father put up an antenna to specifically be able to talk to the space shuttle and the Ham Operator on board (Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL). We actually did make contact although it was very brief. That was a cool highlight for me in Amateur Radio.

I have been off and on active throughout the years, but have been more active in the last 4 years or so. I just passed the Extra Class exam on July 1st, 2017 and am definitely excited about that.

I'm really enjoying my Icom IC-7100 (primarily for HF) and the digital HF mode FT8 (and some JT65). I also enjoy DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) a lot through local DMR repeaters and also D-STAR and C4FM/Wires-X/YSF through my two SharkRF OpenSpots. I get on HF as much as I can. When I am not on HF (and even when I am sometimes) I am usually monitoring or operating on the Brandmeister DMR Network on Oklahoma Central (TG 31401), Oklahoma TAC (TG 31400), Oklahoma Statewide (TG 3140), U.S. Nationwide (TG 3100),  and/or TAC310. You might also find me on REF052B (Oklahoma), REF001C, and XRF002A on D-STAR, OklahomaLink on the YSF Reflector (C4FM), and AmericaLink on Wires-X (ocassionally). I also monitor and participate in nets on the analog repeaters here locally in the Oklahoma City area (I still really like analog FM), especially the K5EOK repeater at 443.425mHz. I even love hearing the morse code station identifications still (I'm weird..haha). It's easy to find me on 2 meters and 70cm, especially DMR. It is just really convenient and portable way to be active in Amateur Radio. I can and have talked to hams all over the world on one of my HT's. It is great!

I'm finally operating and enjoying HF again with my Icom IC-7100. I am really enjoying the digital HF mode FT8 (and some JT65). On my wish list: Icom IC-7300, another antenna for my IC-7100, and possibly some kind of Mobile DMR radio.

One thing, among many, that I love about amateur radio is the people. Truly. I mean over the years I have met some of the nicest folks who are Hams. When I was a kid there were so many ham operators that my father knew that were the nicest people I think I had ever met. That is still true. Also, I just love my gadgets...my radios, etc. Haha.. Anyway, that is a very brief and small picture of some of my radio story. -W5ZP