I became a ham radio in 1969 as WNØVNJ. As a novice I probably made six CW contacts. When I became a General Class Amateur my next call was WBØFFE which I held for many years. My first radio was a Heathkit SB 102. I actually drove from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the Heathkit factory to get the kit. I remember the excitement not just of building the kit but of putting it on the air. I finally upgraded my license to the Advanced Class. and my call became a 2X2 … KEØPV. The next jump was to an Extra Call. I had by that time bought a home in Illinois where I had lots of land for antennas. It was on Little Swan Lake in Avon, Illinois. I thought this would be the place I would retire so I added an addition on the home just for my ham radio and put up a number of antennas. My call was K9OQ. I still hold that call today. However on April 3 2008 I suffered a heart attack. I was one of the lucky ones who survived but realized that living three hours from the nearest hospital was probably not wise.
Since my business World Leadership Institute was in Davenport I found a great home on an acre of land inside the city! I put up my TH7 and a Steppir vertical and am very happy now that I have my home and my ham radio in one spot two blocks from the office! What could be better.
I have written ten books including three novels. Take a look especially if you like sci-fi!
I will be building this site over the winter including pictures of my past operations and my current ones. I hope soon to have a blog operating for my books and possibly one here.
Larry G. Patten
K9OQ