1951 |
I was born in Welsh, OK, family living in Joplin, MO. Cissy was born in Memphis, TN. |
1953 |
Recall seeing a 5 inch round TV at neighbors, family now living in Miami, OK. |
1954 |
Curiousity about things electronic set in motion by observation of knife switch on window sill used to switch TV antennas between Joplin and Tulsa. |
1957 |
Family moved to Springfield, MO, attended first grade at Portland Elementary |
1958 |
Family moved to Republic, MO. Started wearing glasses to correct nearsightedness. |
1962 |
With friends, discovered some dumped surplus electronics, disassembled out of curiousity, started learning about electronic components. |
1963 |
Decided to build radiotelescope (no real clue how), took 25 years to do. Strung long wire antennas, listened to shortwave on a portable radio. |
1964 |
Became aware of existence of and difference between CB and Amateur Radio, decision for latter. |
Summer 1965 |
Began Preparation for Novice, Joe Hill K0IVK, Mentor. Practiced code using Heathkit DX-20 into a light bulb, listening on an HQ-129X receiver. |
Winter 1965 |
Family moved to Whitehaven, TN. |
July 1966 |
Attended Delta Amateur Radio Club field day at invitation of Wade McKay WA4TFI, Mentor |
August 1966 |
WA4TFI administered Novice code test. One letter miscopied. Discovered we share the same birthday. |
September 1966 |
Received Novice call WN4EAB. Borrowed Globe Scout 65 transmitter, got on the air using an ARC-5 receiver. First QSO with Mike Huntoon WN5SEK, Whitehaven, TN. |
January 1967 |
Received Certificate of Code Proficiency (20 WPM). |
September 1967 |
Joined Army MARS, call AL4EAB. |
October 1967 |
Sat for General exam, administered by FCC at Memphis main postoffice. Copied AND sent 13 wpm. Passed, later received call WB4EAB. Borrowed Drake 2B from WA4TFI. My father bought me a Hammarlund HX-50 SSB/CW transmitter at the Memphis Hamfest. |
December 1967 |
Received Rag Chewers Club Certificate |
February 1968 |
Passed Advanced Class. |
June 1968 |
Received Worked All Continents award |
July 1968 |
Awarded First Polace, Tennessee, in Minnesota QSO Party. |
August 1968 |
Met Bill Bird WA4HGN, and Paul Wilson, VHF+ Mentors. |
November 1968 |
My father bought me a new 69 VW beetle to drive to school. |
December 1968 |
Received Delta Amateur Radio Club Ham of the Year award |
January 1969 |
Received Delta ARC Certificate of Merit as Ham of the Month. |
March 1969 |
Received Worked All States award #19,760. |
April 1969 |
Attended Army MARS conference, Ft. McPherson, GA as representative from Hillcrest High School (that's how the Principal excused the absence). |
May 1969 |
Worked part time for Russ Hellen Communications (continued on and off for several years) |
June 1969 |
Worked the summer at Lafayette Radio store in Whitehaven as service technician. I graduated from Hillcrest High School. Cissy Graduated from Treadwell High School. |
July 1969 |
Passed Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator Test I started attending Memphis State University, College of Engineering. |
August 1969 |
Received Memphis Sesquicentennial Award. Bought first HF rig, SWAN 270B Cygnet. |
September 1969 |
Cissy started attending Memphis State University, College of Engineering. |
January 1970 |
Joined ARRL. Met future wife Cissy, part of random group of students who hung out in the William Faulkner lounge in the MSU student center. |
February 1970 |
Passed Extra Class and First Class Commercial Radiotelephone/Ship RADAR |
March 1970 |
Selective Service - 1A |
May 1970 |
First "date" with Cissy. Went with group to Sardis Lake, lost keys in lake. |
June 1970 |
Mt father traded the VW beetle in on a Chevy 3/4 ton pickup, which I drove to school in. |
July 1970 |
Worked the summer for Arthur Fulmer repairing 8-track take players. |
April 1971 |
Received Delta Division Certificate of Appreciation for aid to newcomers. |
May 1971 |
Received DoD Certificate of Merit for RATT, Armed Forces Day. |
July 1971 |
Designated Mid-South VHF Association Ham of the Month. |
August 1971 |
Received Delta ARC Certificate of Merit as Ham of the Month. |
January 1972 |
Worked part time for one year for Plough Broadcasting, WMPS AM/FM as transmitter engineer. |
February 1972 |
Worked full time for Mahaffey Communications installing and repairing mobile radios and pagers. |
April 1972 |
Attended first Dayton Hamvention. |
October 1972 |
Bought first car, 1973 Chevy Nova. |
December 1972 |
Begin term as Delta Amateur Radio Club Vice President. |
March 1973 |
Married Cissy by inadvertant elopement. Moved into apartment in Whitehaven. |
April 1973 |
Became involved in photography, set up darkroom. |
September 1973 |
Experimented with 1215 Mc AM using APX-6s with WA4TFI. One-way RTTY achieved. |
October 1973 |
Started career as Equipment Specialist with the Defense Industrial Plant Equipment Center. |
November 1973 |
Called MARS Alpha net from apartment using remote controlled station. |
February 1974 |
Became trustee for Delta Amateur Radio Club, W4BS. |
April 1974 |
Moved into duplex near Defense Depot Memphis. |
November 1974 |
Moved int first house: 3460 Meier Drive - $29,950. |
January 1975 |
Changed call to N4MW (Paul Wilson was K4MW as second call. |
May 1975 |
Received Boll Weevil Net Certificate |
June 1975 |
Received Cotton Pickin' Certicicate #355 |
August 1975 |
Journey to Franklin, NC to help disassemble and transport 28 ft dish from K4RJ estate. |
September 1975 |
Bought Kenwood TS-820S HF rig. |
December 1975 |
Obtained Private Pilot's License |
January 1976 |
Bought second vehicle, used ford van "sandwich truck". |
February 1976 |
Bought part interest in Grumman Trainer. |
March 1976 |
Bought Kenwood TS-820S HF rig. |
May 1976 |
Worked W4HHK on 2304 MHz A2 (modulated signal generator/received F3 - 10 foot dish). |
July 1976 |
Became active on 2 meter SSB/CW using Kenwood transverter. |
March 1977 |
Worked WA4HGN on 2304 MHz with 4 watts CW. |
July 1977 |
Became active on 6 meter SSB/CW using used ICOM IC-551A.. |
September 1977 |
Sold interest in Grumman Trainer, bought into Bellanca Decathlon. |
January 1978 |
Upgraded to new ICOM IC-251A two meter rig. |
April 1978 |
Began flying for Civil Air Patrol with Captain's rank |
June 1978 |
Received DX Century Club Award |
October 1978 |
Traded van on El Camino SS. |
March 1979 |
Awarded Basic Aerobatic Achievemant Award, International Aerobatic Club. |
October 1979 |
Achieced Sportsman Award, International Aeoobatic Club. |
January 1980 |
Bought half interest in Cessna 152 Commuter. |
July 1980 |
Moved to second house: 3205 Covington Pike $69,900 |
August 1980 |
Bought used ICOM IC-720 HF rig |
April 1980? |
Achieved rank of Major in Civil Air Patrol, qualified as Communications and Operations Officer and Mission Pilot |
December 1980 |
Upgraded to new ICOM IC-251A two meter rig. |
October 1981 |
Became active on 432 MHz SSB/CW. |
December 1981 |
Sold Nova, bought Camaro. |
February 1982 |
Sold interest in Decathlon. |
July 1982 |
Became active on 222 MHz SSB/CW. |
October 1982 |
Bought Honda Shadow 500 motorcycle. |
November 1982 |
Nominated for Federal Employee Association Employee of the year award in Professional and Scientific category. |
January 1983 |
Sold Cessna Commuter. |
September 1983 |
Bought part interest in Grumman Cheetah. |
June 1984 |
Achieved first place, single operator, 432 MHz, TN section, VHF QSO Party. |
September 1984 |
Achieved first place, single operator, 432 MHz, TN section, VHF QSO Party. |
June 1985 |
Cissy relicensed as N4ZRW. |
July 1985 |
N4MW/R 1292 MHz repeater begins operation, Bill Dearing N4HKS owner. |
August 1985 |
Activated beacon on 2 meters. Help take down WA4HGN dish for WB5LUA. |
January 1986 |
Activated beacon on 10 meters. |
April 1986 |
Achieved Old Timers Club status. |
June 1986 |
Became active on 1296 MHz SSB/CW. |
July 1986 |
Attended my first Central States VHF Society Conference |
September 1986 |
Received 6 meter VHF/UHF Century Club award #168 (now 375+ grids from EM55). Achieved first place, single operator, 2.3 GHz, TN section, VHF QSO Party. |
October 1986 |
Received 432 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award #63 (now 80+ grids from EM55). |
February 1987 |
Received 2 meter VHF/UHF Century Club award #160 (now 150+ grids from EM55). |
May 1987 |
Activated beacon on 222 MHz. |
June 1987 |
Activated beacon on 6 meters. |
July 1987 |
Became active on 902 MHz SSB/CW. |
August 1987 |
Achieved first place, single operator, 2.3 GHz, Delta division, UHF Contest. |
September 1987 |
Achieved Fifth Place, single operator, 1296 and 2304 MHz, TN Section, VHF Sweepstakes. |
December 1987 |
Activated beacon on 432 MHz. |
January 1988 |
Camaro stolen and wrecked, replaced with '86 Camaro Berlinetta. |
June 1988 |
Became active on 3456 MHz SSB/CW. Sold El Camino, bought '93 Chevy Silverado. |
July 1988 |
Activated beacon on 902 MHz. |
August 1988 |
Activated beacon on 1296 MHz. |
October 1988 |
Attended our first Microwave Update, Estes Park, CO, flew in to Boulder in Cheetah |
March 1989 |
Appointed CAVEC Volunteer Examiner. |
April 1989 |
Received Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Examiner efforts. |
June 1989 |
Certified W5YI Volunteer Examiner VE-6551. |
July 1989 |
Became active on 5760 MHz SSB/CW. |
October 1989 |
Received 222 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award # 54 (now 60+ grids from EM55). Received 1296 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award #75 (now 40+ grids from EM55). Microwave Update, Arlington, TX, flew in to Addison in Cheetah |
December 1989 |
Received 50 MHz Worked All States (2X SSB) award #892. |
January 1990 |
Obtained SMIRK membership 5559. Built T-hanger at Charles Baker Airport. |
February 1990 |
Activated beacon on 2304 MHz. |
October 1990 |
Microwave Update, Estes Park, CO, flew in to Denver commercially |
January 1991 |
Activated N4ZRW/B 2 meter beacon. Appointed ARRL Technical Coordinator for TN section. |
October 1991 |
Microwave Update, Arlington, Tx |
January 1992 |
Activated beacon on 5760 MHz. |
April 1992 |
Received Worked All Continents (50 MHz Phone) award. |
June 1992 |
Achieved Fourth Place, Single Operator, TN section, VHF QSO Party. |
July 1992 |
Indoctrinated into SNOTTS (Stupid Numbskulls on Two-Twenty Sideband). Worked WB5LUA on 3456 SSB over 420 mile path, recording of which he played to CSVHF. |
August 1992 |
Activated beacon on 3456 MHz. |
October 1992 |
Received 3456 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award #32 (from EM55). Microwave Update, Rochester, NY |
December 1992 |
Received Certificate of Appreciation from Delta Amateur Radio Club for the August program and for setting up the satellite station at Field Day. |
January 1993 |
Activated beacon on 10368 MHz. |
April 1993 |
Wrecked Silverado, bought '93 long bed Silverado. |
September 1993 |
Appointed AMSAT Area Coordinator. |
October 1993 |
Microwave Update, Marietta GA |
January 1994 |
Became active on 10 GHz SSB/CW. |
April 1994 |
Beacons QRT due to commercial encroachment on site. Received 2304 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award #50 (from EM55). |
May 1994 |
Received 902 MHz VHF/UHF Century Club award #20 (from EM55) |
June 1994 |
Sold hanger in preparation for move to Virginia. |
July 1994 |
Sponsored Central States VHF Society Conference in Memphis. |
September 1994 |
Moved to Virginia began working for Defense Supply Center Richmond. |
October 1994 |
ARRL EME Contest Participation Award. Moved into house at 6540 Marl Springs Drive, New Kent, Virginia, Microwave Update, Estes Park, CO |
November 1994 |
Activated 2 meter beacon. |
January 1995 |
Installed tower #1 for VHF antennas. AMSAT P3D sponsor. Bought out partner and brought Grumman Cheetah to VA. |
July 1995 |
Installed tower #2 for HF/6 meter antennas. Flight to CSVHF Kansas City |
October 1995 |
Microwave Update, Arlington, TX, flew in Cheetah from VA |
July 1996 |
Flight to CSVHF Minneapolis |
September 1996 |
First place 2304 Mhz, VA section VHF QSO Party. |
October 1996 |
Microwave Update, Phoenix, AZ |
November 1996 |
Replaced engine in Camaro, bought '96 Oldsmobile Bravada. |
January 1997 |
Installed tower #3 for satellite antennas. |
October 1997 |
Microwave Update, Sandusky, OH |
February 1998 |
Installed tower #4 for monitor/beacon antennas. |
October 1998 |
Microwave Update, Estes Park, CO |
January 1999 |
Activate 10 GHz beacon. |
February 1999 |
Built 24 GHz SSB/CW portable transverter. |
| August 1999 | Built 24 GHz beacon transmitter and portable receiver. Began Code Practice Oscillator Museum (315 items as of 6/05). |
| September 1999 | Built 10/24 GHz transverter and presented talk to Packrats. Began web presence www.n4mw.com, Microwave Update, Plano TX |
| July 2000 | Flight to Springfield/Heber Springs/Memphis, acquired Magnolia (300 lb cement pig) |
| October 1999 | Microwave Update, Philadelphia, PA |
| November 2000 | Road trip to Memphis to transport Magnolia (300 lb cement pig) |
| September 2001 | Vacation to Portland/San Jose, Microwave update, Sunnyvale, CA shortly after 9/11 event |
| December 2001 | Intalled central vacuum system |
February 2002 |
Had porch rebuilt and roof installed plus kitchen appliance upgrades |
April 2002 |
Meier family gathering |
| September 2002 | Added "yawning awning" (extended roof over west deckway), Microwave Update Hartford, CT |
February 2003 |
Road trip to Memphis in pickup with 200K miles |
March 2003 |
Built storage "yert" building. |
May 2003 |
Added lower deck above area to be a garden fish pond. |
| June 2003 | Begin garden fish pond construction |
| July 2003 | Added carport extention to west attached garage entrance |
| August 2003 | Added "batwalk" to west deckway. Cissy acquires Brother 970 knitting machine. |
| September 2003 | Hurricane Isabel, Vacation to Portland/Seattle, Cedar Creek Treehouse, Microwave Update, Everett, WA |
| October 2003 | Dave attained 30 years with DLA. Added second carport area and widened drive underneath. |
| November 2003 | After long flying hiatus, made $5K hamburger flight (tank reseal + annual) |
| December 2003 | Annabel Lee cruise, Wright Centennial, Kill Devil Hill, NC |
| January 2004 | Sold IC-1275A for $3K, replaced with IC-970H |
| June 2004 | Finished 2000 gallon garden fish pond |
| September 2004 | Flew to Shelby, NC for hamfest |
| October 2004 | Attended Microwave Update, Dallas, TX area |
| December 2004 | Purchased Chevrolet Equinox, retired Camaro. Attended VIP preview of "The Aviator" for VA Aviation Museum. |
| January 2005 | Replaced interior in airplane, other improvements to instrument panel. Bought AVMAP EKP IV GPS receiver. |
| June 2005 | Cut down big dead oak tree in front of house- firewood for the winter.. Add "fishwalk" from back deck over fish pond. |
| July 2005 | Flying trip to Memphis and Springfield, MO for family visits. |
| September 2005 | Flew to Shelby, NC for hamfest, bus trip to NAS Oceana for air show |
| October 2005 | Attended Microwave Update, Cerritos, CA. Toured Queen Mary and NASA Goldstone. |
| February 2005 | Commercial flight to Memphis and back for family visit. |
| May 2006 | Tangier Island/Williamsburg lunch flights. Attend Dayton Hamvention. Bought tilt hauler trailer, picked up tower sections in TN. |
| June 2006 | Cissy acquired a Brother Innov-Is 4000D Disney Limited Edition embroirdery machine and a J L Hammet Marcoux 45 loom. |
| August 2006 | Dave retires! |
