KT4U - "JV" Staples 130 Fairfax Cir Madison Heights, VA 24572-2805 "Retirement Is Great!" I Love My Ham Radio! .     I was first license in May 1976 going from nothing to general and received the call of WA4VCV. I passed the extra in August 1979 and applied for the new 2X1 call that was being issued by the FCC and received the call of KT4U. I joined ARRL for life in 1977.     My Main Base Station includes an IC-756proIII radio, TL-922A & SB-221 (modified for 6 meters) Amps & a Nye Viking MB-V-A tuner. Power supplies are Astron 50 amps.     My back-up radio is an IC-7000, a MFJ-969 Tuner and an Ameritron AL-80B amp . This radio is also used for portable work and 2/440. Both radios have a home brew interface with two Dell computers and RigBlasters. When using the IC-7000 portable, I use a SignaLink USB. Basic software programs are the DXLab Suite, N1MM Logger, DXBase, VE7CC Cluster and others.     My upstairs station is an IC-706MKIIG and a MFJ-946D. This setup is used with a dipole for causal work. A FT-2400RH is used for 2/440. I have two FT-470 HT walkie squarkes     Antennas are a Mosey TA-36, 1/4 wave verticals for 30, 40, 60, 80 & 160 (L) fed by a single length of 8214 with 120 radials, 40 at 50 feet and 80 at 100 feet and they also work for 12 and 17 via the tuner with this antenna array, a Butternut (not up) with 9 bands and a dipole. Also have a M2 6M5X for 6M. The radials for the vertical array are attached to a sheet of aluminum that is 3/16"X2'X'2.     My Mobile operations include another IC-7000 with the Icom AH-4 and 102 inch whip & a FT-8900. Also have laptop in mobile and another SignaLink USB. Yes, I do stop when running PSK and RTTY, hi hi. Work, Family and Other Hobbies     I retired from B&W (Babcock and Wilcox) after 31 years and retired from the Central Virginia Training Center (mental institution) after 11 years. My favorite hobby is bicycling followed by serval others. My Wife Eleanor and I at one of the Manchester, TN South East County Hunter's Conventions     I am a life member of the NRA and had a Federal Firearms license for some 30 years before giving it up. Did part time gun smith work when I was in High School and College. I received top shooter award when I went thru the police academy and maintain a masters rating (perfect score) with the pistol and rifle while working in security at The B&W NNFD division in Lynchburg.

Daughter Beth, Little Miss Sureshot     Our daughter Beth went to Longwood College and is now working in Santa Monica, California. Don't mess with little miss sure shot. Beth is also an actress. Son Val Moves to Richmond Kentucky     Our son Val now lives in Richmond, Kentucky. He went to Virginia Tech and is a Art Colorist using computer technology. He does most of the color work for Marvel Comics. Last year (2009) Val received a nomination for the top colorist of the year. Val is also a ham. He achieved his Novice ticket at the age of 9 and the Advanced at age 12. His call is KB4RDI. Friend Fred, W4DF Becomes Silent Key     My best friend, Fred W4DF, who became a Silent Key last year, 2009. Here we are working Field Day. He was one of the worlds best CW operators and will be sadly missed. We spent a lot of time running Mobile. On The Road Again     The above photograph was taken on the Virginia Creeper Trail in the Western part of Virginia. It is one of the many Rails to Trails in Virginia. This trail extends 34 miles from Whitetop Mountain thru Damascus to Abington.     *****