Member of ARRL. Also an ARRL Volunteer Examiner

Member of McHenry County Wireless Association

This is not a brag sheet! I started this web site to chronical my Ham Radio activites for myself and my family. I hope you enjoy this!

And I hope you find some useful info somewhere in the web site.

On Jan 8, 2022, I passed Element 4, earning an Extra class license.

In November 2022, I applied for the vanity call W9LRG, which was issued on Dec 2, 2022.

April 9, 2023, I got my 100th country with a confirmation on a contact with OG5O from Finland on QRZ! Thanks Keijo!

Hurray! Got 100 countries on LOTW! I made a contact with 5Z4VJ in Kenya on May 31, 2023 (FT8 on 17m).

5Z4VJ confirmed this contact on Jun 10, 2023. Thanks Andy for helping me earn ARRL DXCC award!

For 80 to 6 meters, I am running an ICOM IC-7300 into a G5RV JR antenna in the attic with an LDG RT/RC-100 autotuner.

For 2 meters and 70 CM, I recently purchased an ICOM ID-880H and added a Diamond X50A antenna in the attic.

I recently purchased a Yeasu FT4XR to use with my new homemade 2m tape measure beam.

My primary HAM computer is a Win10 machine. My primary computer is a Linux box running Debian under my desk.

I am also interested in outdoor activities (camping, hunting, hiking). I am also a home beer brewer using all grain methods.

I was at Gold Creek Campground from Tuesday July 11th leaving Tuesday July 18th, 2023.

I took my ICOM IC-7300 and see what I can accomplish in the mountains near Gunnison, CO.

I was camping and operating at about 10,000 ft elevation in the Gunnison National Forest.

I have a page that describes my Solar Power pack for this trip linked here: Solar Power

I put together info about my Ham Radio activities, stats, and pics here: Gold Creek info

I also did some hiking and have pics here from the trails and campground: Gold Creek Trails

I went back to Gold Creek Campground from Monday July 15, 2024 to Friday July 19, 2024.

While there I make 70 contacts. 28 states, 3 countries. I was quite excited at getting Japan!

Here's a link to the break down of contacts this year:

Gold Creek 2024 QSL stats

Field Day 2024

I setup a class 1E station for Field Day 2024. Go here for info on my first Field Day operationsW9LRG's Field Day 2024

I built a DIY 2m tape measure antenna with an attenuator. Project info and pics are here 2m antenna info

73's,

      Lyle, W9LRG