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W4EWO

Amateur Extra operator focused on portable and field radio, POTA/SOTA, antennas, APRS, RF experimentation and resilient communications.
About W4EWO

Radio from the field to the home station

I entered amateur radio in late 2021 after first using GMRS for off-road communications in the Mojave Desert. I upgraded to General in early 2022 and earned Amateur Extra in 2023.

Portable operation is a major part of the hobby for me, especially Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air. My broader interests include antenna experimentation, APRS, digital modes, field communications, RF systems and integrating radio with self-hosted infrastructure.

My professional background includes years of field experience with military radio systems as a Cavalry Scout and Electromagnetic Warfare Sergeant. I have also supported radio and antenna instruction and served as a Volunteer Examiner for service members working toward amateur licenses.

Station

On the Air

A mix of home-station, portable and experimental radio systems.

Home Station

Yaesu FT-991A with a terminated dipole, supporting HF/VHF/UHF operation and experimentation from the QTH.

Portable / Field

FT-891, FT-857D and Xiegu X6100 with portable antennas for POTA, SOTA and field operations.

APRS

APRS digipeater built around a Yaesu mobile radio and Raspberry Pi, bridging RF experimentation with small-form-factor computing.

Antennas

EFHW systems for portable use plus ongoing homebrew antenna and tower projects at the home station.

Training & VE

Radio and antenna theory instruction experience plus Volunteer Examiner support for new amateur operators.

Field Communications

Experimentation with layered radio, IP, satellite and offline-service concepts for communications that can operate beyond normal infrastructure.

Operating Milestones

ExtraLicense ClassAmateur Extra earned in 2023
POTA / SOTAFavorite ActivityPortable operating outdoors
WASWorked All StatesCompleted on-air award milestone
WACWorked All ContinentsCompleted on-air award milestone
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Radio is where fieldcraft, electronics and infrastructure meet.

Follow the radio and off-grid communications projects as they evolve, from antennas and portable stations to resilient local services.
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