W4JBB's Amateur Radio Webpage

W4JBB

I took my first amateur radio test in December 1992 and I have been licensed since April 1993 (this was before the day of the ULS and almost instant notification). My first call was KD4ZXC. At that time, one could take two test elements and be a "No-code Tech." Not long after this, I studied for and passed my 5-WPM code test and became a "Tech Plus." Within the next year, I took and passed my General theory and 13-WPM code tests and took and passed my Advanced theory test. At that time, I requested a new callsign and received KS4AW. Not long after I got interested in amateur satellites, the vanity call program was begun. Initially, I received K2SAT. After a while, mostly because I lived in "4" land, I requested a new vanity call - W4JBB.

Amateur Satellites

I have been interested in Amateur Satellites ever since Bob Whitehurst, W4KDP (SK), gave a presentation at a local club meeting. That was in 1994 or 1995. In late 1998, I began putting together an amateur satellite station. That station has since disappeared, but I have been putting together a new station. It was back on the air intermittently between 2001 and 2002. In mid 2002, my wife and I moved. It took almost a year for me to put my stuff back up. Not long after I got my antennas back in the air, we bought a new house. I now have my tower back in the air and will hopefully complete installing antennas before the end of January.

My station is centered around the Yaesu FT-847. I'm currently using a KLM 22-element 2m Cross-Yagi and a Homebrew 44-element 70cm Cross-Yagi. I am also using ICOM's AG-35 and AG-25 preamps for 70cm and 2m respectively. To point the antennas, I use a Yaesu G-5400 az/el rotor and FODtrack rotor controller (parts list). I use both NOVA and SatPC32 to track the satellites.

I have not worked as many stations as I would have liked in my time operating satellites. I've worked more than 350 contacts on the satellites. I have received the Satellite Communicator's Club Award, OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (#376), and South Africa AMSAT Satellite Communication Achievement Award (#US76).

A.P.R.S.

I have been interested in APRS for about three years. I currently have a digi-peater, W4JBB-7, in Tuscaloosa, AL. The digi consists of an Icom IC-229H 2m radio and PacComm Pico-packet TNC. I hope to upgrade the TNC to an MFJ-1270 with UI-DIGI firmware in the near future. My mobile, W4JBB-9, consists of a Kenwood TM-D700A and Pentar 8-channel, commercial GPS.

My current mobile setup is in my Ford E-350 workvan. In addition to the TM-D700A, I am also working on the installation of a Yaesu FT-857D for mobile HF operations. Right now, I am dealing with RFI from the van's ignition/fuel injectors. I hope to get this problem solved soon. My mobile HF antenna is a DK3 from W6AAQ. As soon as I can, I will post pictures of my current mobile installation.

Below are pictures of my previous mobile setup in a 1998 Ford Taurus. I used a Pro-Fit mount and attached the TM-D700A control head to the front and the pictured Garmin eTrex Venture to the back using a RAM mount. This worked very well considering the GPS receiver did not have a clear view of the sky. I would regularly track 8 - 10 GPS satellites.

2m and 70cm antennas. The 2m antenna is a KLM 22-element CP Yagi; the 70cm antenna is a hombrew 44-element CP Yagi. Thanks to Don DeJarnette, KC4YRT, for these antennas. The top of my Butternut HF6V can barely be seen below the front end of the 70cm antenna. The HF6V is also courtesy of KC4YRT.	Current operating position. The top shelf from left to right has the A/B switcher, KAM TNC for APRS, TNC31S with 9k6 modem for PACSATs, 3A RS PS for the TNC31S, Astron RS-35A for main station power, and an MFJ-941E HF antenna tuner. The bottom shelf has the FT-847, G-5400, and HD-73 rotor controllers.
A view of my mobile APRS setup in my 1998 Ford Taurus from the driver's seat.	A view of my mobile APRS setup in my 1998 Ford Taurus from the passenger's seat.

North American Amateur Satellite Corporation.	Alabama Army MARS Webpage.
Automatic Position Reporting System Homepage.	The Tuscaloosa Amateur Radio Club.

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