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Welcome to my web page. This is a temporary page and will be replaced soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

73, Ken, WS4V

Celebrating 30 years in Ham Radio!

I was first licensed as a Novice in March of 1979 as KA4HEP. Two months later in May of 1979 passed the Technician test and in June of the same year passed the General test. If they had given the code tests from slowest to fastest I would have taken the 20 wpm code after taking the 13 wpm code but things didn't work that way back then. I had gained code speed by operating every spare minute I had up to the time I took the 13 wpm test and didn't really know how fast I could copy but was waiting on characters during the 13 wpm test. In June of 1980 I passed the Advanced exam and changed my call to KC4IH... I consider getting phone privileges on HF one of the worst things that ever happened since I figured I was above working CW...

In September of 2005 I passed the Extra class exam at the Shelby NC hamfest and later applied for a vanity call, WS4V which I hold now. During my early years of amateur radio I concentrated on DX. Since then my interest in DX has waned although I would still like to complete 5BDXCC and work at it occasionally during contests. I only run 100 watts on HF it is hard to get 100 countries on 80 and 40 meters but I'm on the way with a few over 50 countries confirmed on each of the low bands.

Now my interests have turned to VHF and UHF weak signal work and enjoy home-building antennas for 6, 2, and 432. Although I'm not on 1296 I do build antennas for 1296 and sell a few at hamfests. They are 26 element with elements welded to aluminum boom and are built to stand the test of time. For the last 12 years of my working career I was the engineering supervisor of a group of television stations and hold a General Radiotelephone Operators license (formerly called First Class). I retired in 1991 after to many weeks of 60-80 hours a week. During my TV years I lost interest in ham radio but after being away from it for some years the interest has come back and I'm looking forward to mountain topping during all of the VHF and UHF contests as well as operating from home during the contests where the weather is so bad I can't get to to top of White Top Mountain VA or Black Mountain KY. Although I never expect to win any contests I enjoy getting out with a few ham friends and seeing what we can do from our mountain top locations. Listen for us on the bands during major VHF and UHF contests! My new shack is finally finished and I love it. No more cramped space tucked away in the corner of a bedroom! Now I have a 12' X 24' room in the basement to enjoy my hobby complete with a 7' work bench on the facing wall.

My DXing has taken a CW turn and have 256 countries confirmed with the ARRL. At this writing I have 293 countries worked, 289 confirmed. Just waiting on a few more cards to send the lot to the ARRL. I'm working on 40 and 80 to try and hit the magic 100 mark for 5BDXCC. CW makes getting countries on 40 and 80 so much easier with 100 watts. Total worked on 40 meters is 117 and 70 on 75/80 meters. Without CW I could have never reached these numbers with 100 watts. Long live CW!

I usually work the Virginia QSO party and this year (2009) did it on BPSK-31 only. It was a challenge but managed to make 197 contacts and totaled over 28,000 points. I hope it is enough to get the digital plaque this year. Results should be out on the Sterling Park website soon.

QSLing: I QSL the same way as received. If I get a card direct, even international cards I return in the same manner. I firmly believe that QSLing is the heart of the hobby and don't consider those who don't or refuse to QSL hams. QSLs are called the final courtesy and ANYONE who refuses to confirm a contact isn't a HAM. I no longer participate in eQSL but do upload all logs to LoTW. After operating in the VA QSO Party I have found that Smyth County is needed by a lot of county hunters. I have received 14 cards from the last QSO Party, 5 of them DX stations and sent cards to them all. That is a lot of direct cards for a stateside station and it has been less than a month since the end of the contest.

I hope to meet you on the air soon!
73, Ken, WS4V

Below are some pictures from the past .

Ham Radio operators from the surrounding area at a picnic in the 1980s.

From left to right: Ron Chit Khin (NM4L) & daughter (Rhonda?), Terry (N4IQV) & Judy Surface (N4IQW), Linda and Gary Sutherland (KM4X) with Kenny Sturgill (WS4V, then KC4IH) behind them, Ed Walker (WA4DFS) of Mountain City TN in back with Steve (forgot last name and call) & wife in front, I have no idea who the couple is pictured next, Dick Moore (KC4GF, SK) of NC, and Jim Ratcliff (K4DHY) & his wife.

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Updated 4-29-2009