K7PEH Phillip E. 'Phil' Hystad Kirkland, WA QCWA # 36437

First licensed as a novice, WN7ECQ, in 1966. College and studies kept me from getting my General when my novice expired. In February 2004, I got the bug again, licensed up (Technician, General, Extra) and I am on the air almost every day.

My favorite mode is CW and I have been gaining experience with QRP CW using my Elecraft KX3, or my Elecraft KX1, or my Norcal 40A.

Current primary rig is full Elecraft K-line: K3/100 & P3 with a KPA500 500-watt solid state amplifier, and KAT500 auto-tuner. Antennas include a Traffie Hexbeam for 20 through 10, and also an 80 meter dipole center fed with ladder line and up about 45 feet.

Mobile rig in my Chevy pickup truck is Icom 706 MkIIG feeding a Hi-Q 4/80 screwdriver antenna. Operations while mobile include both SSB and CW using my bencher paddle. Also have a Yaesu FT-7800R for mobile VHF/UHF but rarely use it. It usually sits on 146.52 MHz to pick up any stray cats and dogs while traveling about. I really do not like repeaters and stay far from them as much as I can.

Grew up in California (San Jose), moved to Oregon while in high-school, attended Oregon State University (BS Physics). Graduate school: math/computer science. Left graduate school to earn money as programmer. Did that for 43 years. Retired and current main hobbies are: ham radio, mathematical physics, wood working.

September 30, 2014