W6RTW - Robert T. 'Bob' Wade Jr W6RTW

Robert T. 'Bob' Wade Jr
Riverside, CA

QCWA # 32221
Chapter 177

I have been a Ham since 1964. I got my first license when I was 13 (WN9NFO). My first station consisted of a Knight-kit T-60 and a Lafayette KT-320 (kit form of an HE-30). I paid for these by cutting grass in the summer and shoveling snow in the winter for neighbors. The town I was born in (Lansing, IL) was relatively small (14,000), but we had a lot of Hams. There were 6 of us in a 2 block area. When I got my General in 1965, I wanted to get on 160 meters. I picked up an old Johnson Viking II and used a Drake 2B with a 2-LF converter. The antenna was a 40 Meter dipole with the coax feedline shorted out and fed through an adjustable coil. Worked like a vertical with a big top hat. I met my future wife, Joyce in high school and after college, we got married (1973). I have a B.S.E.E degree. We moved to California in 1975. I purchased a new Yaesu FT-101E which was my home station and mobile station on our trips back to the Illinois area for family visits. My son, Rob was born in 1979. My daughter Sandy was born in 1983. She married a great guy, Victor in 2010 and they own a house in Rancho Cucamonga, just 20 minutes away. My wife took an interest in Ham Radio and got her Novice (KA6QYG)and then upgraded to Technician Plus. Her call today is W6ADE. I am a life member of the ARRL. I am also Secretary/Treasurer of QCWA Chapter 177 and the Riverside County RACES Deputy Chief, Administration for County Ofice of Emergency Services. I operate all bands from 160 Meters to 440MHz. My favorite mode is CW. I am recently retired as a Data Processing Manager for an IBM/UNIX shop. I like working DX and have picked up an interest in Contesting. I am currently preparing to try my hand at SO2R contest operating. I also enjoy powered Radio Control Airplane flying. I am a member of the Corona Radio Control Club. I integrate these two hobbies by flying on the 6 meter R/C frequencies. Our R/C club also sponsors the California R/C Marathon in Baker California. We provide communications along the 50 mile course using 2 Meters. If you hear me on, give me a call. I always enjoy talking to new friends and look forward to talking with old friends when I hear them on the air. Perhaps I will see some of you at the Dayton Hamvention! We have been fortunate to go every year. 73 de W6RTW

November 17, 2014