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. Thus far, I have resisted the temptation to upgrade to Extra for two reasons. First, there are no longer any Advanced class licenses being awarded and, second, I see no benefit to an increase of 25kHz.

Amateur Satellites

I had 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. I was active on the satellites until around 2002. My interest in satellites waxed and waned from about 2002 until about 2009. At that point, I made a decision to not pursue amateur satellite communications. It was fun while it lasted. If I still owe you a QSL, drop me an email.

Regardless of all that, I 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).

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Copyright © 2001-09, Joel Black

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