Another big waste of time is Ham Radio. I've been a ham since I was 16 (ok, so I'm old, it was 1976), and have an Extra class license. My callsign is WD5ABC, and I enjoy contests, cw (sorta' like Morse Code for you non-radio types), and trying to see just exactly how far I can talk. You'd be suprised where some of these people are. I have earned the DXCC award, meaning I have talked to and gotten a card from 100 countries. For more information on ham radio, try the ARRL at a link that I'll eventually put here. Here is a picture of my radio room, sometimes called a "Radio Shack" by hams. Now you know where the name comes from. The antenna is my Hy-Gain TH6DXX at 60 feet. It looks a lot higher when you have to look down! My station consists of my main radio, a Yaesu FT-990, and backups - a set of early '70's vintage Drake Twins and a Yaesu 757 (struck by lightning, but still works a little...) On the left is a 386SX-40 computer for digital modes, tracking satellites, and logging. Below the monitor is a Drake L-4B amplifier and on top of the Yaesu FT-990 is a QRP transmitter I built which puts out about 3/4 watt. The band-aid box seemed appropriate...

ARRL - The American Radio Relay League -The national organization for amateur radio operators
QRZ - Click here to look up other hams by callsign or get the cd-rom so you can do it off-line!
QRP-L - The QRP mailing list home page
Richard Measure's Homepage - Get the real truth behind the ARRL's blasting of Rich Measure's amplifier articles
G3YCC's Ham Radio Homepage - Frank has one of the best all-purpose ham radio web pages around!
Sabine Valley Amateur Radio Association Homepage - Check out our latest newsletter and other SVARA info here.

I'm also the newsletter editor for the Sabine Valley Amateur Radio Association. If you would like to be added to the newsletter e-mail distribution list, or wish to make any other comments about my (very preliminary) home page, drop me at note at:

73 es Gud DX,
Kerry Miller, WD5ABC

The Voice of Union Valley and all Right-Thinking People of East Texas!