KA3DHV

James E. 'Jim' Hale
Washington, DC
Okinawa
Merritt Island, FL

QCWA # 32994
KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale
First Call: KA3DHV       Other Call(s): KA6HE AI4HS

Licensed since 1979 with Novice, Technician and General privileges in rapid succession. Spent a year at the peak of the 10M boom working stations from my location in Washington, DC.

There was a time during 1980-1984 when I operated with a military/ham callsign KA6HE from Okinawa. The system was an unusual arrangement that was necessary before reciprocal operating became possible. Many a night was spent on the Western Pacific Maritime net talking with boaters. One fortunate day I was able to coordinate rescue of a shipwrecked sailboat by being the only station able to copy the captain by radio while simultaneously maintaining a phone patch to the C-130 rescue aircraft through the Kadena Westpac rescue center. The rescue was successful.

During the years since 1979, I've also held a number of calls with Air Force MARS and Army MARS, but departed that series in 2008. Army MARS on Okinawa was an extremely active group. It was fun while it lasted. Over the years, I've also been a member and office holder of a number of amateur radio organizations, among them the Pentagon ARC (K4AF), the Radio Society of Okinawa and a life member of the ARRL. Currently a member of Kennedy Space Center ARC (N1KSC).

My retirement in 2004 gave me the time to upgrade to Extra, at which time I requested a new callsign and received AI4HS. A burst of nostalgia prompted me to request my old callsign back under the vanity callsign program. The request was granted and KA3DHV is the call that I plan to keep forever after.

It may seem old fashioned to some, but I still like the feel of a paper QSL card and the anticipation of waiting for one to arrive. Unless an operator specifically says he doesn't want any paper, I send out a paper card to everyone with no obligation for a return card. But in recognition of more modern times, I also use LOTW and eQSL and have loaded all my old logbooks into those systems. I have an especially nice QSL card, not displayed here, that goes out to mail or bureau contacts.

KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale

KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale

KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale

KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale

KA3DHV - James E. 'Jim' Hale

March 22, 2019