Welcome, my name is Ron and I am located in Dunwoody, Georgia (EM73uw), 15.6 miles (25.2 kilometers) north of the center of Atlanta. The QTH has an elevation of 970 feet (292.66 meters).

The Photo to the right is of my setup on February 7, 2023.  (For more setup info see my Station Setup page.)  A K3/P3, various morse code keys and a computer, what more could one need?  Oh yes, towers with full size 40 and 30 meter yagis.

Computer in the shack

Today the computer and internet access have became standard in the ham shack.  I use an HP laptop running Windows 10.  The main program used is DXLab for logging, RTTY and limited rig control.  WSJT-X coupled with JTAlert is employed for FT8 and FT4.

Short History

I was first licensed as WV2BSW (Novice) September 1958 – Plainfield, New Jersey.  The V changed to an A a year later when I became a Technician (WA2BSW).  In April 1961, I took the trip to 641 Washington Street (NYC) and became a General.  It was not until February of 1980 that I upgraded to Advanced.  With an even longer time gap, 26 years later on 26 February 2006 I took and passed the extra.  For a slightly more in-depth history please see the My call sign and Ham Radio history page.

As of March 3, 2012 my call is K4DS.  This is quite a change after 53 plus years with the  same call.

Operating

Most of my operating since 2005 has been on CW for several reasons as stated on my Morse Code – CW page.  I do operate on a limited basis other Digital modes.  Of the non-CW digital modes I prefer RTTY.  However, most of my digital activity is on FT8 and FT4.  There are two reasons for this.  First, there is far more activity on the FT modes and second, I can not type well enough to carry on a conversation on RTTY.  For the most part SSB is employed for chasing Parks. Although, SSB park contacts are few and far between as I do not listen to the phone portion of the bands and view only CW park spots.

 

Amateur Radio Activity

Preferred Mode CW
Preferred operating focus DX; Parks; Islands
Awards

Issued:
DXCC – Confirmed valid current entities: Mixed 277; CW 271. The ARRL Diamond DXCC Challenge December 2012.
WAS – March 1981; 2014 ARRL Centennial WAS
WAC – January 1980
POTA Parks – More than 1,100 parks hunted in the POTA online log – but?
IOTA – IOTA 100 Island of the World.
WAZ – 39 zones confirmed on CW and one confirmed on FT8.


Not Issued (deemed not worth the cost):
DXCC – 30 Meters; 20 Meters; 17 meters; 15 Meters; 10 Meters; Digital; Challenge
IOTA – Additional islands
Equipment Main Radio: Elecraft K3/P3
Backup Radio: Yaesu FT-897D
QRP Radios: Penntek TR-25: NorCal 40B; Heathkit HW-8
Antenna: Attic Doublet
Morse Code Keys in use: Paddles – Begali Magnetic Classic and Simplex; Vibroplex Iambic; N3ZN ZN-QRP. Bug Keys – Begali Intrepid; 1944 Vibroplex Original; Lafayette MS-435. Straight Key – Begali Spark; 1950’s Speed-X. Combination Key – Brown Brothers CLT-B.
Call sign history WV2BSW September 1558 – September 1959 (Plainfield, NJ)
WA2BSW September 1959 – March 2012 (Plainfield, NJ; Hillsborough Township, NJ; Metuchen, NJ; Dunwoody, GA)
K4DS March 2012 to present (Dunwoody, GA)

 

Note: Per the ARRL glossary DX means “distance, foreign countries.” I tend to think of DX as any entity other then my own matching credits for the DXCC award. However, when I write about working DX I do not consider most VE’s as DX. Also, a Caribbean or XE station calling CQ DX will not be called unless I hear the station working other “K” stations.