My name is Steve, live in Maryland, USA and will be 70yo in May. I retired in 2004 and I have been a ham for 22 months as of today, 31 Jan. My main interest is CW. I learned CW in the Navy in 1962 and could copy roughly 35 WPM at the time. I am now back up to about 25wpm. I started QRP with a homebrew tube transmitter that was built from a 1953 schematic. After several months I bought an ICOM 703 that I used for QRP for a year but recently bought a KX3 that is an awesome radio. Some of my memorable times thus far has been building a 1 transistor with 6 other parts CW transmitter with an output of 50mw and made a contact in Smithfield, NC which calculates to 5144 miles per watt. I built a second one changing a few components with an output of 370mw and have made several contacts including Arizona and Nebraska. I also used my KX3 at .95 watt to take 1st in a SKCC less than a watt contest that included a contact in France and Slovenia. I use a 102' G5RV antenna. I use one of two SCHURR hand keys, or a Czech hand key or one of two Vibroplex bugs. So, QRP is a fun and challenging hobby for me and I am hoping to do some portable operations this year.
I like to restore old electronics. To date I have restored a Heathkit DX20, several Hallicrafters S-38s, a National NC-183D and NC-57M, and several other radios. I also like building kits e.g. QRPoMeter, etc. I play golf regularly and race a racing gokart at a local track.
Will be looking for more QRPers in the future. I am an active member of CW several clubs. Hope to see you on the air.
73 Steve K2DEP
