Meet Gary Watson (K6PDL),\u00a0\u00a0who returned to\u00a0the Board this year.\u00a0 Gary\u00a0is a volunteer\u00a0in the County EOC and was publicly recognized for his outstanding volunteer work by the County Board of Supervisors in May, 2019.<\/p>\n
We recently interviewed Gary:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0 When did you get your Amateur Racense and what inspired you to get licensed?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n After learning that morse code was no longer required,\u00a0 I looked at the ARRL site to see what was required to\u00a0obtain a license.\u00a0 I have wanted my license since\u00a0I was in high school when I was active in the\u00a0pre-trucker days of CB and licensed as KPA-4120. I have had my ham license for 9-1\/2 years.<\/p>\n 2) What is your favorite Ham radio operating mode and use?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I enjoy operating from my car on 2m\/70cm.\u00a0 When I use a handheld radio, I have DMR radio which also is my main carry for analog and I use it for ARES. At home I work FT8, and when the band conditions improve, I’m looking forward to operating SSB.\u00a0 \u00a0 When I find time to practice, I\u00a0study CW.<\/p>\n 3) What general area of the County do you live and\/or work in?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I live in one of the steepest and deepest parts of Soquel \u00a0Canyon which makes any kind of DX a challenge.\u00a0 In spite of the\u00a0geographic\u00a0challenge,\u00a0 I have logged contacts from Kazakhstan to Cyprus, from South Africa to the Falklands, and the Galapagos to Thailand.\u00a0 Hitting K6BJ repeater\u00a0on 2m is a challenge, as is Happy Valley on 10m.<\/p>\n 4) What made you want to serve on the Santa Cruz County Amateur Club Board?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I joined the board so that I would have some input on the future of our Club.<\/p>\n 5) Anything else?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I am looking forward to\u00a0the\u00a0time when everyone\u00a0who is fully vaccinated can get together for face to face activities again.<\/p>\n Thank you, Gary, for serving on the Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Club Board!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Meet Your Board – Gary K6PDL Meet Gary Watson (K6PDL),\u00a0\u00a0who returned to\u00a0the Board this year.\u00a0 Gary\u00a0is a volunteer\u00a0in the County EOC and was publicly recognized for his outstanding volunteer work by the County Board of Supervisors in May, 2019. We …<\/p>\n