N4XML Bob Gagliardi Myrtle Beach, SC QCWA # 37505 Chapter 31

I was first licensed on January 3, 1989 at the age of 37. I probably like most of us was involved with CB radio. I ventured that when stationed in the Air Force and stationed on the Island of Guam in 1972. So for the next 17 years was very active with that form of communication. It was in November of 1988 I was invited to the local Ham Radio Club and signed up for a class to receive my Novice license. The instructor and later my Elmer, Scott Lawrence, at the time AA4LY and changed his call to K4SL when the vanity license program started. Scott was at the time a very avid County Hunter and got me interested in it, but having only my Novice & Technician License I could only work 10 meters. I struggled with receiving Morse code and never became proficient above 5 wpm, so County Hunting was put on the back shelf until I was able to upgrade to General Class in March of 2002 when the FCC changed the Morse code requirements. I immediately began County Hunting and completed contacting all 3067 US Counties on August 15, 2005, and again one day after my birthday, November 14, 2011. I am working on my third time but have not been very active due to some work commitments, but will hopefully soon retire and start up once again.

Other areas of the hobby that I enjoyed were Packet Radio, and contesting. My first contest that I entered was the 1989 Novice Roundup which I placed the Section Leader. In 1991 & 1992 I was the Division Leader and 1993 I finished in 7th place in the United States for Technician Class. I entered the 1989 ARRL November Sweepstakes and completed in First Place, Single Operator, Technician, Phone South Carolina Section. In the 2005 ARRL 10 Meter Contest I received First Place, Single Operator, Technician, Phone South Carolina Section. One of my biggest accomplishments by far was entering and finishing 1st Place in our South Carolina QSO Parties from 2004 through 2012; most of those were operating mobile and several times have made contacts from all 46 South Carolina Counties.

I never was interested or had much time for chasing DX but maybe when I am able to retire and the band condition are good I might go down that road.

73
Bob Gagliardi, N4XML
n4xml@sc.rr.com

September 19, 2017