W7LTE

The name here is Timothy. I've been in to radio ever since I was a kid, and got my first CB when I was 12 or so. I didn't get into ham until much later and finally got my license as KJ7PQT in 2020. I immediately got a vanity callsign, KK7TLL. After having that for a while I decided I didn't like it because with the KK and LL I was always having to repeat my callsign several times. I thought about going back to my original callsign, but I still wanted something with my initials. So after months of searching the fcc database, I decided on my W7LTE. My initials, with the last name first.

While I was waiting for the application for W7LTE to be approved I got curious about why the callsign had expired so I did some research on it's previous owner. Retired army special forces MSG Stephen Olson passed away in 2004. I actually felt a little weird using the callsign for the first time, but I'm happy to have revived it and to keep it alive.

At first I only took the technician test. I thought I'd be happy with that. But I was wrong. So I studied a bit and went for my general. I passed the exam on 21 August 2021. I bought an old ICOM IC-735 from someone in the local ham club, and absolutely love it. I've looked at and used many of the modern high end radios, and for me they're overkill. The 735 does everything I want and does it well. I like that it's almost as old as me. It's from 1985 and looks like it. So retro, I guess.

Check out the navigation bar for more info about my equipment. And my "blog sort of thing" that I add posts to all the.. no wait.. every few months maybe!