K9AVN's HAM SHACK
*Licensed Amateur Radio Operator  since September 21, 1983.*

*** May God bless America and our men and women in uniform ***

My Ham Shack today.
Click on the picture to see a larger image of my Shack.

This is my story about how I became an Amateur Radio operator.
I hope you will enjoy it!

1978 My First Ham Receiver.

My first piece of Amateur Radio equipment was the Hammarlund HQ-170a Receiver. I didn't have a Amateur Radio License, but I sure enjoyed listing to the Ham's that did.

I wanted to be a Ham ever since my early teens, but I didn't get my Novice license until I ran in to Charlie Kinser (WD4AFH now KU4QI). We worked together at WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky. Charlie would "talk " ham radio every day at work. He knew I wanted my license. He also knew that the code was getting in the way. I didn't realize it at the time, but he started teaching me Morse code while we worked together.  We had a intercom system that was used by the production crew. When it was not in use, Charlie would hold his hand mike close to the speaker so that it would feedback.  He used this as a code practice oscillator to send me a letter of the Morse code until I learned it.

This went on for a few months, one letter or number at a time until I learned the code for each character.   So...one day during a break, Charlie handed me a piece of paper and told me to write down what I could. He started sending Morse code at five words per minute using the feedback on the intercom system. He didn't tell me he was giving me a practice test. This put me at ease so I didn't have the pressure of doing an actual test. That help a lot! After he finished "testing" me on the Code, he looked over what I had written down,  Charlie said "you are ready " Bud"!

Since we worked together he wanted to have another ham give me the actual test.
Charlie introduced me to Jerry Williams KD4HU on September 6, 1983. Jerry holds the Advanced class license. He gave me both the written and code test for the Novice class license. After I passed both elements, I mailed my application to the FCC on September 7, 1983. Seen like it took forever, but was actually  a few weeks,  I received my Novice Class license, which was issued on September 21, 1983.
My Call Sign was KB4HKO.

My Original Novice License.
Click on the License to see the larger version.
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In 1990, I applied for a new Callsign to reflect my new address in eight land. I became N8MLQ early 1990.

On august 07, 2002, I applied for my current Callsign, K9AVN and it was granted August 28, 2002

May 31, 2003, I successfully upgraded to the Extra Class License.

My first HF Rig

   Soon after I earned my Novice ticket, I needed a HF rig so that I could work some "code " on the HF bands. After shopping around, I found a Drake "C " line twins that I liked and fit my budget. I set my shack up in the bedroom, and put up an inverted "V " antenna. Charlie came over after work and we made my first contact. It took me two days to come down from the "high " that I was on.  Thanks, Charlie for "pushing " me to get my Ham License.    

My First Two Meter Rig

In November of 1984, I traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to take the written for the Technician which included the written for the General class license.  I came down the day before the test and stayed with my mother overnight. I reviewed the test material until late into the night. I was in the very last testing session (10:30 A.M.) the FCC conducted in Louisville before turning it over to the VEC'S. The FCC officer was Russell Mowe Jr. November 30, 1984 I earned my Technician license with the special identifier "CG ". I had to use the "CG " until I received my up-graded license from the FCC. My new Technician class license was issued December 21, 1984.
Now I needed a Two meter rig. I found a good deal on a KDK model 2016R mobile rig. Which I used as both mobile and base.

The KDK was a great rig, I wished that they were still manufactured.  

My present Two Meter Radios

 ICOM IC-228A 25 watt mobile.

After moving to Ohio from Kentucky, I lived close to R &L electronics. I made several trips to the "candy store " shopping for a new Rig.  I purchased this ICOM IC-228a at R and L electronics around 1990. This was my first "NEW" radio. I still use it after 13 years. I have retired it to base operation now. and it still works great.

The ICOM IC-2100H 50 watt mobile.

My Newest addition is my ICOM IC-2100H Two Meter Mobile. I use it in my work truck because that is where I spend most of my driving time. I acquired it used in August 13, 2002

My former Two Meter Hand Held Radio

I gave this to my 11 year old Daughter, Sharon for passing the Technician class test on May 21, 2003 at Evansville, Indiana.  She is KC9EIP

The Alinco DJ-580T Dual Band radio.
I bought this radio from a non-ham
in Cincinnati around 1994

ICOM IC-751 A

My HF rig is a ICOM IC-751A.
Like all Ham's,  I am still working to improving my shack.

My antenna is a G5RV flat top up about 25 feet.
 Look for me on the HF bands.

I traded this Rig to W8AIR.

I hope that my little story didn't bore you to much, I have owned other ham equipment over the years. The Rigs I described above stick in my mind because they were the first Ham radio equipment that I owned (or still own). 73, K9AVN

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