Live Chat

I have set up and EASY way to access a live amateur radio chat room!! If you have Java installed, Just click the link below!!  You may want to change your nick once you get the chatroom up by going to the box on the bottom right of the chatroom.  Make sure your browser is Java enabled by visiting http://www.java.com

Live Chat


Freewheelers Net
3.916 Mhz

One of my favorite haunts is the Freewheelers Net on 3.916 Mhz LSB.  It runs Sunday through Friday @ 10:30pm central until ... usually takes about two hours for all the rounds, ending around 12:30pm central.  It's the friendliest net on amateur radio!  Simply check in once and you are a FREEWHEELER! WATCH OUT! 


KX5JT -- Excellence in Amateur Radio!

Night Talker
This site is dedicated to my Amateur Radio hobby.  The basic purpose of my site is to highlight and archive information on the equipment and modes I enjoy.  Each subpage is dedicated to either a piece of equipment in my collection an antenna or some other category or aspect that is relative to me.  If others find it useful great!  The internet is a great tool to share information.  I have a journal as well to log my progress and keep everyone up to date on my activities in ham radio.  I also enjoy seeing various people who enjoy the site sign my guestbook. 
 
 Amateur Radio is also known as Ham Radio. This site is a work in progress, just like my life!  It is designed with the spirit of amateur radio. My current interest in Ham radio is ragchewing (just casual conversation) on HF (High Frequency) and casual DX'ing. The picture above is of my Heathkit SB-200 linear amplifier idling with the cover off and the lights off.  Nice glow huh?  Look around and enjoy the site. Visit my guestbook and sign it if you are so inclined.
 
Amateur Logic TV episode 30


These guys make great videos... here just watch the latest!

Amatuer Logic TV episode 30 on youtube.com


SkyWave! KX5JT's Audio Journal
 
SkyWave! KX5JT's Audio Journal   SkyWave! #1 Available now!
 
KX5JT station

I acquired an E.F. Johnson Viking II and a National NC-300 on Feb 12th, 2011.  This is a classic vintage A.M. lineup.  The Viking II has improved audio modification in place that was done by Brian, N4DKD, one of the previous owners.  Some improvements include a better audio driver transformer (Hammond) and a Viking Valiant modulation transformer.  The rig easily achieves better than 100 % positive peaks now without breaking much of a sweat. 

I also have a Heathkit DX-60, serial number 103, built in early 1962, the very year the kits were released.  It too has modifications based on WC3K Bill's (sk) published works.  It is a controlled-carrier AM rig with excellent hi-fidelity.  It drives a Heathkit SB-200 linear amplifier.

Also active in my station is a Kenwood TS-570DG.  This serves as my SSB and Digital modes rig.

My current antenna system includes a homebrew T-tuner with a edge-wound Johnson Roller Inductor and too wide spaced variable air capacitors.  This feeds a homebrew parallel 80/40 meter inverted vee fed only at 30 feet for now. 

My Henry 2K4 amplifier is awaiting a fresh pair of 3-500Z tubes.

KX5JT radio station is always changing and improving!


 Who is KX5JT?

My name is John D. Tate.  I was born in Lafayette, LA in 1966.  I grew up in the suburbs.  I always loved electronics.  I remember being a small kid and twirling through my AM transistor radio and picking up KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The program was Beaker Street and it played the psychedelic rock that was popular in those days, the late 60s and early 70s.  I was amazed at being able to hear a station way up in the next state.  I can also recall catching Denver, Colorado tv stations on UHF before cable TV came to our home.  This started my fascination with radio signals.

After graduating high school in 1984, I enrolled in University of Southwestern Louisiana with a General Business major.  I was bored so I switched to Southern Technical College and pursued a 2 year degree in Electronics Technology.  I also married and later fathered two awesome boys.  After spending the late 80s and the 90s building and maintaining computer networks for small business and schools, the Universe threw me a curveball.  After the dust settled, I found myself living alone and pursuing my Amateur Radio hobby.  I now work as a dispatcher at night (imagine that, radios and computers!).  I love life and can't wait to be in the next Great Adventure!!

 

Please Enjoy Your Stay.

You can email me at johndtate@post.com anytime.  Please visit my QRZ page at www.qrz.com/db/kx5jt