WØTLE

Richard K. 'Dick' Philstrom
Scandia, MN

QCWA # 33162
Chapter 8
WØTLE - Richard K. 'Dick' Philstrom

My history in Electronics started early, I worked at Reine Radio and TV repair and other Electronic communication shops while attending Junior and Senior high school. I graduated from Minneapolis Vocational High School in 1963 where I had studied Electronics. I later graduated from Brown Institute with a Diplomas in Industrial Electronics and Electronic Communications in January 1965 and then graduated from one of the first Computer Programming courses ever offered in Minnesota in January 1966. I passed my First Class Radio Telephone License test with Ships Radar endorsement, which came in handy while I served overseas and repaired shipboard radars on two Norwegian Freighters while stationed in Australia.

I was first licensed in 1965 as WNØNHL upgraded to Technician and received the Callsign WAØQFC and have held the calls; VK6RZ Operated a VK6US while assigned to USNAVCOMMSTA Harold E. Holt (NWC) in the January 1967 thru November 1969 timeframe and in the late 1970's received the callsign KBØNR when I upgraded to Advanced class, and then later to Extra Class. I requested and received the Vanity callsign of my old mentor and boss, Ward Jensen WØTLE. I have operated with that callsign since December 15, 2006

I served in the U.S. Navy and was Stationed at Treasure Island for Advanced Electronics Training after which I went to U.S. Nav Comm Sta Harold E. Holt in Australia for three years, where I upgraded to a Conditional Class License with the Call Sign of WAØQFC. I also had the Call Sign VK6RZ issued to me by the Australian Government.

When I got out of the Navy I went to work for Electronic Center in Minneapolis, MN and worked for Ward Jensen WØTLE. During my time there I went from working in the Ham Department to Managing their Purchasing department. I was the manager of the Ham Radio Department for about two years before buying it from Electronic Center in 1980. I opened a new Ham Radio store in North Minneapolis called Midwest Amateur Radio Supply. I left there in 1984 to work for ETA Systems a Super Computer Company and worked there until it was shuttered 5 years later. I then worked for Supercomputer Systems Inc. in Eau Claire Wisconsin. This too ended in shutdown four years later. I really enjoyed my time working in Super Computers but after both companies ended in closures, I decided to change fields. I was asked by a friend who worked at Medtronic in Fridley Minnesota as he needed help while one of his people was out on a medical leave of absence. It was supposed to be just a couple months of work, but I ended up getting hired full time and worked there until I retired in 2007.

I am currently active on 160mtrs thru 144 mhz. I have a SteppIR BigIR Mk3 Vertical for 80 thru 6 meters, and a Tennadyne T-8 Log Periodic Antenna for 20 thru 10meter operations. I installed a new tower and have antennas for HF thru 6 meters

I am a Life Member of the ARRL, A Charter Member of the Handi Hams Organization, Life Member of the Central States VHF Society, Life member of the 10-10 international club.

I am a member of the Northern Lights Radio Society, QCWA National, QCWA Chapter 8, Minnesota Wireless ASSN. and have been a member of the 10-10 International since the early 70's.

I enjoy Operating VHF/UHF Weak Signal SSB and CW on 6 meters through 1296 MHz. I also enjoy Contesting and operating RTTY and the new digital modes like FT8 & FT4.

My current Rig is an Icom IC-7610 as well as many different Transverters to allow me to operate the VHF and Microwave Bands.

In January 2020 I will celebrate my 55th year of being licensed, and though I have worked all States, Continents and more than 300 + countries, I am currently trying to enter all of my paper logs on the computer, but it is a monumental task. I have never applied for any of these awards, but maybe in the future I may do so. I really enjoy every contact I make on the radio whether it is a RARE DX station or a local I talk to frequently.

I worked for Control Data, Electronic Center Inc., and ETA Systems, Supercomputer Systems Inc. prior to working for Medtronic Inc. in the Pacemaker and Defibrillator Product Development Group where I managed a hardware test team on several new product platforms. I retired in 2007 and have been working on enjoying my radio equipment whenever I can.

Dick Philstrom, WØTLE

Jult 20, 2019