Amateur Radio Station WJ1B
Hi, I'm Harold Kramer, Amateur Radio Station WJ1B. I have been an Amateur Radio operator (ham) since 1962. My call sign back then was KN1ZCK, and I later held the call WA1JLY before upgrading to my Extra Class license and becoming WJ1B.
Some of the other callsigns that I have used are: J6/WJ1B, TI7/WJ1B, W1AW/1, W100AW, K2D, and W1Q. I am the trustee for N1EPU, the callsign of the KW Amateur Radio Club.
Some of the other callsigns that I have used are: J6/WJ1B, TI7/WJ1B, W1AW/1, W100AW, K2D, and W1Q. I am the trustee for N1EPU, the callsign of the KW Amateur Radio Club.
My Home Station:
My home station consists of an Icom 7610 transceiver, an Elecraft KPA500 amplifier, and an Elecraft KAT500 automatic antenna tuner. I use a Heil Audio headset and a Begali Simplex paddle for CW. My HF antennas include an Alpha Delta DD dipole for 80 and 40 meters and a K4KIO Hex Beam on a 40-foot Rohn 25 tower. For 2 Meters and 440MHz, I use a Diamond XC30.
DXLab Suite is my general logging software. I upload my logs to Logbook of the World and to QRZ.com. I use WSJT-X for FT4, FT8, and MSK144. The software runs on a Dell PC with Windows 11 and dual monitors.
Portable/POTA Station:
I use an Icom 7000 powered by a 12-amp-hour Bioenno battery mounted in a PowerWerx battery box. My portable HF antenna is a Buddipole in a vertical configuration or a 17' vertical ground mounted whip with a Faraday screen. For portable logging for phone or CW, I use HAMRS software or pen and paper. When operating FT8 on POTA activations, I use a Dell Laptop with WSJT-X, JT-Alert, and DX Lab Suite. For Public Service and Emergency Communications, I use a Baofeng UV-5R+Plus.
QSL Policy:
I am happy to QSL directly to my callbook address or via the Bureau. Return postage or SASEs are not required. I upload my logs to Logbook of the World and QRZ.com. My POTA Activation QSOs are uploaded to the POTA website as well.
Personal Info:
I hold an Amateur Radio Extra Class License and an FCC GROL Commercial License. I am an ARRL Life Member and an ARRL Volunteer Examiner. I was an Emergency Coordinator (EC) in South Central Connecticut. I also collect telegraph keys and telegraphic apparatus.
I retired from the ARRL in 2016 as its Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of QST. The ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio located in Newington, Connecticut. Since I retired, I have continued writing articles for both QST and NCJ. I am currently a volunteer in the ARRL Lab and a member of the ARRL Historical Committee. I am a member of the Meriden Amateur Radio Club.
Before joining the ARRL in 2005, my entire professional career was in the cable television and broadcast industries.
My home station consists of an Icom 7610 transceiver, an Elecraft KPA500 amplifier, and an Elecraft KAT500 automatic antenna tuner. I use a Heil Audio headset and a Begali Simplex paddle for CW. My HF antennas include an Alpha Delta DD dipole for 80 and 40 meters and a K4KIO Hex Beam on a 40-foot Rohn 25 tower. For 2 Meters and 440MHz, I use a Diamond XC30.
DXLab Suite is my general logging software. I upload my logs to Logbook of the World and to QRZ.com. I use WSJT-X for FT4, FT8, and MSK144. The software runs on a Dell PC with Windows 11 and dual monitors.
Portable/POTA Station:
I use an Icom 7000 powered by a 12-amp-hour Bioenno battery mounted in a PowerWerx battery box. My portable HF antenna is a Buddipole in a vertical configuration or a 17' vertical ground mounted whip with a Faraday screen. For portable logging for phone or CW, I use HAMRS software or pen and paper. When operating FT8 on POTA activations, I use a Dell Laptop with WSJT-X, JT-Alert, and DX Lab Suite. For Public Service and Emergency Communications, I use a Baofeng UV-5R+Plus.
QSL Policy:
I am happy to QSL directly to my callbook address or via the Bureau. Return postage or SASEs are not required. I upload my logs to Logbook of the World and QRZ.com. My POTA Activation QSOs are uploaded to the POTA website as well.
Personal Info:
I hold an Amateur Radio Extra Class License and an FCC GROL Commercial License. I am an ARRL Life Member and an ARRL Volunteer Examiner. I was an Emergency Coordinator (EC) in South Central Connecticut. I also collect telegraph keys and telegraphic apparatus.
I retired from the ARRL in 2016 as its Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of QST. The ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio located in Newington, Connecticut. Since I retired, I have continued writing articles for both QST and NCJ. I am currently a volunteer in the ARRL Lab and a member of the ARRL Historical Committee. I am a member of the Meriden Amateur Radio Club.
Before joining the ARRL in 2005, my entire professional career was in the cable television and broadcast industries.
Recent Publications:
I am one of the authors of the The Parks on the Air Book published by the ARRL. An edited version of my chapter of this book is featured in the January 2024 issue of QST.
I am one of the authors of the The Parks on the Air Book published by the ARRL. An edited version of my chapter of this book is featured in the January 2024 issue of QST.
- Power Stations Product Review, January 2024 QST.
- Classic Radio Column, the Eico 723 Transmitter, February 2024 QST.
- Shackmaster 500 Product Review, May 2024, QST
- A Visit to the RSGB National Radio Centre, October 2024 QST
- HAMRS Logging Software Product Review, December 2024 QST
- Bimmer Life Magazine - an article on how I use my BMW SUV as a POTA station, March 2025
- Classic Radio Column with co-author KE1R, The Harvey-Wells Story, October 2025 QST
- Classic Radio Column with co-author KE1R, ARRL's Heathkit Exhibit, April 2026 QST
