WA9NGO Thomas M. Travis LaPorte, IN QCWA # 36417 Chapter 36

First licensed in 1964 as WN9NGO. Dave Blystone K9ZNK (SK) was my Elmer. After a year up-graded to Technician, but after 2 trips to Chicago to the FCC office in the Federal bldg, I became a General.

Novice period was filled with many hundreds of CW contacts with my Eico 720 and Hallicrafters SX-111. I had 4 crystals, 2 for 80 meters, 2 for 40, and those worked on 15 meters. Becoming a General I bought a Drake T-4X. I had acquired a triband beam that was put up on a 34 foot wood pole to work the DX bands. My interest peaked in 2 meters with a 40 foot tower with 2, 8 over 8 J Beams. By now I had an Ameco TX-62 with a converter on 10 to 2 meters.

January 1969 brought about my going into the Navy for a 4 year stint, needless to say it turned into a career ending after 22 1/2 years as a Chief Petty Officer as a Cryptologic Technician. Duty stations, Winter Harbor Maine, Augsburg Germany, Lajes Azores, USS Fife DD-991, Fleet Combat Training Center San Diego, San Vito Italy, and Wahiwa Hawaii. Retiring May 1991. Started driving school bus for La Porte School Community in Jan 1992, which I done now for over 15 years.

May 1995 moved into our new home on 2 acres and have turned it into an antenna heaven. Operate 80-10, 6, 2 and 432 SSB and CW. Have amassed a small pile of boat anchors over the years. Drake T-4x/R-4B, Kenwood TS-520S, Yaesu FT-301, FT-221R, Icom-706 MKIIG, Yaesu FL-2100B amp. Still have the SX-111 and TX62.

Other hobbies include restoration work on railroad cars at Hoosier Valley Railroad Mus, North Judson IN, traveling, and photography.

Married to Maureen for 25 years July 20th, 2010, Brianne my lovely daughter, 23. I was 61 in June and Maureen was 50.

June 01, 2015