I started my shortwave radio interest by building a Knight Kit Spanmaster Receiver in Junior High School followed by Knight Kit R100A Receiver in High School. I also built a Heathkit DX-60B Transmitter. My first antenna was a Hygain 14AVQ 40-10 meter vertical antenna. I was a member of the Electronics Illustrated Shortwave Club and was a Popular Electronics Short-Wave Monitor. Unfortunately I did not pursue a ham license until I was in the Navy. 

Growing up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota I had the privilege of having Laurel "Ozzie" Aasgaard as a neighbor. Laurel operated a radio servicing shop in his mobile van. He had a great influence on me continuing in radio and electronics in the Navy.

First licensed as WN0JBL in 1973 at club station K5TYP at Keesler AFB Ham Radio Club , Boloxi, MS

Operated as a Novice in 1973 at club station KL7AIZ at Naval Communications Station, Clam Lagoon, Adak, Alaska. I was a CTM in Naval Security Group. I am a member of Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association (www.usncva.org)

Some of my favorite people have been hams: KB6LLA Dave Charboneau, K2LRC Peter Wittenberg, W0EQT Clayton Ormbreck, W0EMZ Carl Mann, W0QQK Gordy Fevig and W0RRW Ernie Anderson. 

   

  W0EQT, Clayton Ormbreck at Ulen, Minnesota

Obtained new Novice license as WB0UEI in 1976. Upgraded to Technician Class in 1978 and operated at club station W0HSC while at North Dakota State University at Fargo, ND.

Former member of Detroit Lakes Amateur Radio Club in late 1970s. Operated in Detroit Lakes as a Technician using a Heathkit DX-60B with VFO and a Heathkit Receiver using the Hygain 14AVQ Trap Vertical. A Kenwood 2 m transceiver with a home brew vertical antenna let me talk to the locals.  I have been a ARRL member "on and off" for many years.

Changed callsign to N6FNF in 1982 when I relocated to San Diego, CA. (I should of kept WB0UEI)

Upgraded to Advanced Class in 1986. Changed callsign to KJ6VX in 1989. Operated at the old QTH in Ocean Beach using a Kenwood TS-430S and the same Hygain 14AVQ Trap Vertical. I have owned that antenna since 1968. I enjoyed VHF and HF packet radio, 2 meter FM and HF SSB.

We moved up the hill to our present QTH in 1989. I operated HF until my XYL decided to exile me to the garage. I still operated on 2 meters in our garage. 

In 2007 I began using Echolink as KJ6VX.

I got back on HF on 2/19/2009 with my old Kenwood TS-430S. I also use a 2 meter Kenwood TS-700S and a 2 meter ICOM 255A. With my friend Jim Hervey's help, I erected a inverted V antenna up about 30 feet on Point Loma. I appreciate hearing from listeners. For the first time I operated ARRL Field Day, it was fun even if I wasn't a top scorer in the contest. My friend's Dave, KB6LLA, and Roland, WB6EZH, got me interested.

I tried 2 meter SSB using the TS-700S this year, bought a 2 meter brick amplifier and plan on building a home brew yagi for 2 meter weak signal work. 

In 2012 I started using PSK31 using "Digipan" software and my home brew interface. I interfaced my old Dell Pentium 3 with my HF SSB Radio. I started off using a AEA PK232 in the 1980s. As a old teletype technician it is fun using this keyboard to keyboard digital mode.

Check out the Software Defined Radio (SDR) link to the left. This link provides sources to ham stations that operate receivers that can be tuned remotely from your computer keyboard. Try more than one link. I have tried W4MQ with some success.

Two Inverted V antennas with 30' center vertical pole, 2 meter/440 MHz antenna is on top.