Amateur Radio Station WJ1B
Hi, I'm Harold Kramer, Amateur Radio Station WJ1B. I have been an Amateur Radio operator (ham) since 1962. My Novice call sign back then was KN1ZCK and I also held the call WA1JLY. Here are some of the other calls that I have used: WJ1B/KP2, J6/WJ1B, TI7/WJ1B, W1AW/1, W100AW, K2D, and W1Q. I am also the trustee for N1EPU, the callsign of the KW Amateur Radio Club.
My Home Station:
My home station consists of an Icom 7610 transceiver that I use with an Elecraft KPA500 amplifier and an Elecraft KAT500 automatic antenna tuner. I use a Heil Audio headset and a Begali Simplex paddle for CW. Samlex power supplies provide DC to the radios.
My HF antennas include an Alpha Delta DD dipole for 80 and 40 meters up about 40 feet. In addition, I have a K4KIO Hex Beam on a 40 foot Rohn 25 tower that I use on 20-6 Meters. The rotator is a Yaesu G800SA. On 2 Meters and 440MHz, I use a Diamond XC30 antenna up 25 feet.
DX Lab Suite is my general logging software. For contest logging, I use N1MM Logger. I upload my logs to Logbook of the World and to QRZ.com. I use WSJT-X for FT4, FT8, and MSK144. JTAlert, used for visual alerts. All of the software runs on an HP PC with Windows 10 and dual monitors.
My Portable Station:
For POTA activations, I use an Icom 7300 powered by a 12 amp Bioenno battery in a Powerwerx Battery Box. I have a 5 amp Buddipole battery as a backup. My portable HF antenna is a Buddipole, used in a vertical configuration. For portable logging on phone or CW, I use HAMRS software or pen and paper. When I use 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 Kenwood TH-F6A and a Baofeng UV-5R+Plus along with many accessories such as headsets, speaker microphones, battery packs and portable 2M/440 antennas.
I am happy to QSL directly at 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.
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.
Prior to joining the ARRL in 2005, I worked in the cable television and broadcast industries. Here's my Resume.
Recent Publications:
I am one of the authors of the new The Parks on the Air Book published by the ARRL. An edited version of my chapter of this book is featured in January 2024 QST.
I am one of the authors of the new The Parks on the Air Book published by the ARRL. An edited version of my chapter of this book is featured in January 2024 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
