As of August 2025, I am the “Z” Suffix Letter Manager for the Area Four Incoming QSL Bureau.
For more details, see the QSL Bureau For “4X” Calls link.
My Callsigns
In 1976, I obtained a Novice class license with the call sign WN2WUX. Later, I earned my Advanced Class license with the call sign N4YTM, which was grandfathered when Advanced Class licenses stopped being issued in 2000. In January 2020, after nearly 50 years, I finally received my Amateur Extra license.
I applied many times for an Extra Class “vanity” callsign in area four. Even though it wasn’t required, I wanted my call to reflect my home area, but competition was fierce for 2×1 and 1×2 calls in area four. After several months, I received the callsign NB4V.
Eventually, I decided I wanted a 1×2 call instead of a 2×1, so I submitted more applications and faced additional lotteries. Thankfully, there was no application fee at that time. I finally secured my lifelong callsign, W4ZD, just a month before the FCC started charging $35 for vanity applications.
Receiving my new vanity call sign (W4ZD) sparked a curiosity about the operators who held it before me. This led to a journey through time, exploring decades-old ham radio publications, such as A.R.R.L.’s QST and various callbooks. My discoveries are described on the History of the W4ZD Callsign page.
- W4ZD – 18 March 2022 to present.
- NB4V – 27 November 2021 until 17 March 2022.
- N4YTM –1991 (or before) until 27 November 2021.
- WN2WUX – Circa 1976.
My Equipment
- Icom IC-7300 (IMHO, a great general purpose HF radio).
- LDG Auto tuner (when needed which is not often).
- 40-foot Universal Manufacturing Company aluminum tower.
- Mosley TA-33-JR WARC and Cushcraft A27010S 2M/70cm Yagi (trimmed to 3 elements on 2 meters).
- Hy-Gain T2X Tailtwister rotor (manufactured in 1979 and still turning!)
- End fed wire Antenna (EFHW-8010 from MyAntennas.com).
- Icom ID-5100A (2 meters and 70 cm, D-Star and FM).
- Icom IC-2300H 2-Meter FM (for packet or a back-up FM radio).
- Yaesu FT-70DR Handi-Talkie (I thought I should have one non-Icom radio).
My Website
This website’s primary purpose is to support my work as a “letter manager” for the Area Four Incoming QSL Bureau. The secondary purpose is to gain experience and knowledge on the topic of website design and implementation. With that in mind, feedback is welcome. You can contact me here.
