Shirlee and Vern - 2011

W7KG Vernon L. 'Vern' Phillips Billings, MT QCWA # 11324 Chapter 104

I was introduced to Ham Radio on 160 meters in 1939 by my "Elmer", W9MTI. We both went into military service in World War Two and I got my first FCC license, W0BQQ, after the war ended.

FCC Licenses held: W0BQQ (1947-1949), W7NPV (1949-1973), A7NPV (1952-1959), W7WXI (1954-1964), AF7NPV (1959-1964), W7KG (1973-----) and First Class Radio Telephone Operator (1947-1987). Other licenses in family: First wife, Jeannine, W7OOY (1950-1971)(SK) and son, Ken, KB7JPT (1989-2009) and W7NPV.(2009-----).

MT SCM (1956-1960), Public Service Awards: MT Snow and Ice Storm (1959), MT Flood (1964) and Yellowstone Park Medical Emergency (1965). Past President: Hellgate Radio Club, Missoula, MT (1949), Harlo Radio Club, Harlowton, MT (1952), Gallatin Amateur Radio Club, Bozeman, MT (1964) and Yellowstone Radio Club, Billings, MT (1986). Lifetime-Achievement Award from Yellowstone Radio Club, Billings, MT (2014). 150+ foreign and domestic certificates / awards plus 8000+ foreign and domestic QSL cards.

Married: Second wife, Shirlee (1971-----), five children, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Military service: U. S.Thirteenth Army Air Force (Philippine Islands) WW2.

Employment: Radio stations KICD and KGVO, Milwaukee Railroad, Minuteman Missile, Montronics, Montana State University, Montana Department of Administration and Phillips Enterprises.

Station equipment: Kenwood TS-440S (100 watts to an NVIS antenna) and an ICOM-IC28A with a "Slim-Jim antenna".

April 27, 2018