In 1992 I took the Basic Amateur Radio Operating Test and passed. I had become a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and choose the call sign VE3FMC. I choice that call as I worked for Ford Motor Company and thought it would be an easy call to remember and others would remember it too.

After operating on the VHF 2 Meter Band for a couple of years I passed my first Morse Code endorsement of 5 Words Per Minute. This allowed me to operate on the HF or High Frequency Bands. I was granted operating privileges on 80 and 160 meters. Due to the length of antenna required to operate on 160 Meters I was not able to use that band. However I had room for an antenna for 80 Meters and soon I was on the air talking all over the United States and Canada. The best time to use 80 Meters is at night, so I spent many a late night in my Radio Room, or Ham Shack as it is called.

By December of 1995 I had upgraded my code requirements to 12 WPM and I was then granted full operating privileges on all the HF Bands. Now I could easily work stations in Europe, Asia and all over the world. Simple wire antennas will allow contacts worldwide if conditions are right. Next step was taking the Advanced License test. After passing that I was allowed to run more power.

My current station consists of a Yaesu FT-950 with a Heil GM-5 mic, Ameritron AL-80A amplifier, Palstar AT1500 antenna tuner and Autek WM1 SWR/Power meter.

I operate on HF using digital modes, PSK31, RTTY, OLIVIA and JT65. My interface for those modes is a Signalink USB. DM780 software covers most digital modes. I also operate JT65.

I recently added some lighting underneath the shelf that computer monitor is sitting on. The lighting is 12 VDC LED Strip lighting. With it turned on I do not need any other lights on in the shack while operating. Energy savings!

Below are some photos of my station. My main radio is a Yaesu FT-950. I have an Icom 7000 for a back up HF Rig and I also have my later Father’s first HF radio he bought new in 1978, a Yaesu FT-101E. It is not on the operating desk at the present time. A Yaesu FT-2500 is used for local communications on 2 meters.

I also have an Ameritron AL-80A amplifier which I use when band conditions are poor and I need a little extra power.

Antennas include wire dipoles for 80, 40, 20, 17 meters. I also have a 2 element yagi beam which covers 20-15-10 meters. A recent addition is a 3 element yagi I made from another yagi.

MY ANTENNAS

This is a new Hy Gain TH2-MK3 that I installed on December 12, 2012.

It replaces an old TA-33JR. The cross arm on the tower holds a 80 meter and 40 meter dipole.

This is a 12 Meter yagi that I made from parts from the old TA-33JR that the TH2-MK3 replaced.

A Cushcraft 3 element yagi for 6 meters. That support arm will soon be holding up a 30/17 meter fan dipole.

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