Amateur Radio

I hold a general class amateur radio license assigned call Sign K5NWZ and GMRS WRCU589

I have been fascinated with radio communications for as long as I can remember. It began with shortwave radio, where it was thrilling to hear distant radio transmitters deep in the static coming from faraway countries. Then came along my first Walkie Talkie. In the ’60s and ’70s, these walkie-talkies operated on CB channel 14, which meant that ham radio and CB radio operators could communicate with us. As an adult, I have been collecting these old Channel 14 walkie-talkies. If I can find the pictures of them, I will post them here. Needless to say, from walkie-talkies, I graduated to CB and then Ham Radio.

Just to the right, you will see the red flashing ON AIR Icon showing the frequency and mode of my station monitors in the shack. I also monitor the Allstar, Echolink and DMRs IDs listed below the ON AIR Icon.

I currently live in an H.O.A. and cannot have any visible antennas. This significantly compromises my station’s capabilities. I have three main antenna systems. For VHF, UHF, and GMRS, I have a cheap 2-meter / 440 mobile antenna mag mounted to my BBQ grill on the patio. It’s pretty high-tech stuff. This antenna is connected to my ICOM IC-7100. For high-frequency operations, I have an ICOM AT-140. 1.6 – 30MHz antenna tuner with random length wire strung out in the attic. This antenna system was designed for marine applications for sailboats, but it also works for me at 5000 feet above sea level. This all-band antenna system is used with my ICOM IC-7300 and is my main radio in the shack. Also, I have an MFJ-1786, Super HI-Q Loop, 36″ 10-30MHz, in the attic, remotely tuned in the shack. This antenna is connected to my ICOM IC-705, and either runs SSTV, and uploads received images to the SSTV page on this site, running FT-8 or WSPR. This is my unmanned station.

My QRZ Awards
Current Gear List
  • ICOM IC-7300 (Main Unit in the shack)
  • ICOM IC-7100 (In the shack but also deployed when doing mobile and remote ops)
  • ICOM ID-5100 (Mobile)
  • ICOM IC-705 (Portable, Mobile, and remote ops)
  • Midland MXT575 (Jeep)
  • Midland MXT575 (4Runner)
  • Midland MXT275 (Camp Comms)
  • Yeasu FT-8800 (Back-Up)
  • Anytone AT-878UV with GPS and DMR (My most robust and fully featured HT)
  • (4) Tidradio TD-H4
  • Many other HTs
  • (2) Cleanode (one in the shack, Allstar 28753) and one Mobile (56589)
  • MFJ-1786, Super HI-Q Loop, 36″ 10-30HHz (In the attic remotely tuned in the shack)
  • ICOM AT-140. 1.6 – 30MHz Automatic Antenna Tuner (Random wire in the attic)
  • Buddy Pole Deluxe Package, 7 to 54MHz continuous, plus 144 to 148MHz (Remote Ops)
  • Chameleon 1.8-54 MHz Modular Portable Antenna System, MPAS (Remote Ops)
  • Super Antenna MP1DXMAX Low Profile Tripod 80m-10m HF +2m VHF Portable (Remote Ops)
  • (2) LEO Satellite Antenna – 3 Elements for 2 Meters crossed with 7 Elements for 70 cm
  • Ham Sticks (All Bands)
  • Comet GP-6 DualBand 2M/440MHz base antenna, 2M: 6.5dBi 5/8 wave x 2, 440MHz:  9.0dBi 5/8 wave x 5 (Currently not in use)
  • 13 Element Beam on a rotor, Manunufature unknown (Currently not in use)
  • Ed Fung GMRS
  • Much more
Currently In the market for

If the stars were all to line up, This is my wish list…

ICOM IC-970. The Icom 9700 is the sister radio to my Icom IC-7300. This would complete my shack. I found one at a Hamfest, and by the time I determined the asking price was more than fair, someone else had bought it. I snoozed, and I loosed.
I had one of these in the 90s, and I foolishly sold it because they became rare, and I needed the money. I have been looking for one ever since. I have been monitoring Ebay and every Hamfest I can get to.
The Current Band Conditions
Latest K5NWZ spotting within the past 24 hours
Live Video Feed from the shack
DX Watch Spots
Below are just a bunch of random photos. I will try to sort them out soon.