W7ARC
My SnoCoHams Web Site
About Me
First licensed in 1971 in Richland, WA as WN7RWU as a Novice class licensee. My first station consisted of a Heathkit DX-100 and Halicrafter SX-101. The antenna were homebrew double bazookas.
I took and passed the Tech class license and received the call WA7RWU for the next 10 years. I let that license laps because of family matters, work and other activities that took me out of the amateur radio scene.
In 1995 I went back to school to get my degree in Electronics Technology. Two of my instructors had just passed their Tech license exams and when they found out that I used to have a ticket; got me interested in getting my ticket again. I took and passed the new tech class exam and was issued the call KC7REK. I bought a Kenwood TM-261A and an ADI AT-201HT for use on 2 meters. I was appointed AEC and liaison to the American Red Cross in Jackson County, OR where I helped setup several stations for EOCs and ECCs.
In 2001 I applied for my current call, W7ARC and was challenged to get my General class license which I did at EMCOMM 2001 in CA. I was given a Yaesu FT-747 and an older MFJ antenna tuner to use so I could get on HF. My antenna was a random longwire and the rain gutter on the apartment where I lived in Silverdale, WA in Kitsap County. I worked over 100 countries using this station. In November of 2002 I purchased a new Yaesu FT-840.
In December 2004 we moved to Snohomish County. I have since purchased several radios...a Yaesu FT-2000D, FT-857D, 2-FT-7800, 2-FT-8900, FT-2800M, Alinco DR-235 and a VX-7A (black). I still have the FT-840, the TM-261A and the ADI AT-201. I have 2 new LDG AT-2000 Autotuners and a new MFJ-949E tuner.
My antennas for HF, at my current station, are a copy of a 1929 single-wire fed Windom and a 100 foot longwire. The station is grounded to a single ground rod and connected to the station with ½-inch braid. The entire station is attached to a ½-inch braid bus. (The better the ground - the better (and safer) your station).
I have a plethora of VHF and UHF antenna that I use for 6M,2M,1¼M, and 70 cm. Most of these are magnet mount mobile-style antennas but work well when used with the appropriate ground plane.
I also have a RigBlaster plus, a PK232/MBX and a KPC-3 for digital communications.
I was appointed Section Traffic Manager in 2003 and District Emergency Coordinator in 2005. I've completed all 3 levels of the ARECC Course and all of the required levels of the FEMA/DHS ICS classes 100, 200, 700 and 800.
In 2004 I tested for and passed my Extra Class license exam. Shortly there after I received my VE accreditation from the ARRL and W5YI.
The Station Now
As this picture shows, I've spent lots of time accumulating some of the finest radio equipment that I can afford.
From this station I can operate on all HF band, 6 meters, 2 meters, 220 MHz. and 440 MHz. In all modes. There is even a camera for SSTV (not shown).
My mobile station - a smaller image of my home station with HF, VHF and
UHF equipment. 75 meters thru 70 cm and all voice modes. FT-857D and a
FT-8900 matched with a ATAS 120 and ProAm Valor PFH-75 antennas for HF and a
tri-band Diamond for 6-2-and 70cm for VHF/UHF, gives this mobile a formidable RF
footprint.
