N3US Edward L. 'Ed' Berkowitz Earlysville, VA QCWA # 36528 Chapter 155

I have been licensed and active continuously since May 1963. My first call sign was WN2HWH followed by WB2HWH after upgrading to General Class in November 1963. I grew up in West Orange, NJ and often went to Radio Row in NYC to buy WWII surplus equipment. My first "real" ham gear was a Hammarlund HQ110AC, a Knight T-150A, and a dipole in my parents' apple trees. I then upgraded to a DX-100, a Hallicrafters SX-101 Mk III, and a Hygain TH-4 beam at 45 feet.

The DX bug bit me and I have always enjoyed DXing (Top of Honor Roll). However, I am not into working each new country on every band and every mode. I dabble in contests but nothing beats a good, solid rag chew.

I also love to track down and re-kindle my friendships with hams who knew me in the early days of 'This is WB2 Hot Water Heater.' I now regularly keep in touch with Paul, now W2PMC; Dennis, now N6KI; Mike, still WB2JHE; Joe, still WB2MCE; Mike, now K9AJ; Neil, now N3RZ; Bob, now AE5NI; Tom, now K3TW; and Fred, now K3ZO.

Ham Radio led to my majoring in Electronics Engineering, obtaining a BSEE and MSEE. After a 42 year career as an electronics engineer, with a specialty in radar meteorology, I retired and relocated from Norman OK (Go Sooners!) to Earlysville VA, just north of Charlottesville VA, home of UVA. During my career, I also lived in Washington DC and Denver.

During the winter of 2013-2014 at my new QTH, I operated with a 80 meter OCF dipole and worked lots of DX with it, primarily on 17 meters. In July 2014, I installed a Bencher Skyhawk on a 65 foot guyed Rohn 45G tower. Despite having 7 acres, my wooded and sloping terrain presented some real challenges to erecting the tower. I am very pleased with the performance of the Bencher Skyhawk and it is great to have an antenna without traps or motors!

I am an active member of the Albermarle County Amateur Radio Club.

The best way to exchange QSLs with me is via LOTW rather than via the QSL Bureau. However, all QSLs received direct are promptly answered.

March 26, 2015