K3WWP History

I was born on May 24, 1945 and was first licensed as KN3WWP in April of 1963. I upgraded to General in the fall of 1963, and to Extra when there was reason to do so when incentive licensing came along in 1968.

From 1963 to 1973 I spent most of my hamming in county hunting, contesting, and rag chewing. In 1966 I co-founded the CW County Hunters Net. The story of the creation of the net is in the county hunting section of my web site
at http://home.alltel.net/johnshan/.

I started work at WPIT in Pittsburgh in 1969, and continued working there until 1993. That cut down on my hamming, keeping me off the air entirely for several years.

I was able to get in some hamming from 1981 to 1983. I continued my county hunting, rag chewing, and contesting. It was during that time the 30 meter band first became available to amateurs. It quickly became one of my
favorites and remains so today.

In the early part of 1993, WPIT was sold, and all the employees were released. I decided to semi-retire. About that time, my friend Eric (who is now KB3BFQ) wanted to know all about ham radio, and we put my station back together and I got on the air again. I have been very active since then, concentrating on contests, awards, rag chewing, and DXing. I've made at least one QRP QSO each day since August 5, 1994 when Eric suggested I see how many consecutive days I could make a QSO using QRP. My total number of QSO's is over 39,000 (all CW with QRP and simple wire antennas) since I returned to the air in 1993, and over 59,000 since 1963 (all CW except for 3 SSB and 2 AM QSO's in 1969.)

I belong to the following amateur radio organizations: A-1 OP, ARS (#285), AK QRP (#010), ARRL, FISTS (#2002), NJ QRP (#53), NorCal QRP, OTC, QRP ARCI (#1880), RCC, SOWP (#5686-TA), 10-10 (#66579), VA QRP.

I hold the following awards and endorsements: WAS (QRP CW 40M), WAC (QRP CW), DXCC (CW), USA-CA 1500 (CW), WPX (CW 160M 80M 40M NA HONOR-ROLL). I hold the following code proficiency certificates: ARRL CP-35, SOWP-40 WPM.

In addition to hamming, I like fishing, computing, astronomy, meteorology, and hiking.

72 John de K3WWP