K2AMF

After working a couple of decades as a computer technical support guy I figured it was time to enjoy a few of the things I had to put on hold.  

One of those things was getting back into Amateur Radio.

I  passed my first hurdle by getting my Tech license in Feb 2017.  I then passed my General Class examination in May 2017 and passed the Extra Class examination in January 2020.

At home I have a Icom IC-2730A and Yaesu FT-7900R for VHF/UHF use.   For HF I have a  Icom IC-737, IC-7000, IC-7300, IC-7610 and a Yaesu 857D.

I enjoy DStar radio communications with a Icom ID-31A, ID-51A and the new ID-52A.

I have several antennas such as a Hustler 6BVT, a Fan Dipole for 40 and 20 meter work and several vertical ones along with a Diamond  X50A Dual Band antenna on a 30 foot mast. I am a member of the Kootenai Amateur Radio Society (KARS) club, and the Washington Digital Radio Enthusiasts group where I am the host of the WA7DRE  Weds morning DRE DStar Net.  

I enjoy DSTAR where I can be found on Reflector 35C.  I am the Weds morning DRE Net Control Host  (1400Z) 

I have the OpenSpot 1, 2 and the new 4 Pro for Hotspot connectivity into the DStar Reflectors.

At home though I have enabled Dual CAT control systems but what makes my setup different is that I use actual cats.

For Portable use I have found the performance  of the "Octopus" head for connecting up to 8 ham-sticks to a single feed line.   (MFJ-2104)  Makes it easy to set up in the field as you just choose which band sticks you wish to install, secure them into the antenna mount and raise the mast.   Below is my setup with the HF antenna on the left the Yagi TV antenna center and on the right is a rotatable Elk Log Periodic for VHF/UHF use.