W7AFC's Biography
I began my Amateur career as W 6 O E R when I was living a short time in California. Effective in 12/15/54, I became W 7 W G W with that call letter, until 1997 when I became W 7 A F C, my present call. I started as a General call then elevated to Advanced, and seven years ago became an Extra, until present date.
One of my first accomplishments was that I established the Mingus Mountain Repeater Group 1974, in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Group's first Repeater was on 147.000 (+) located on Mingus Mountain near Prescott, Arizona. Currently, there are five systems as a part of the Mingus Group, including a packet node, too. I am now a resident of Southern Arizona, so I am not involved with the Group. However, I have been a lifetime member of MMRG for the past number of years.
In my 54 years as an Amateur Radio Operator I have been a member of ARRL, plus a lifetime member of the Arizona Repeater Association. In addition I was President and Vice President of the Arizona Amateur Club, the oldest in Arizona. I served as Chairman of the Amateur Radio Council of Arizona, and also ARCA Hamfest Chairman in the mid 80's. Also, during that period, I was presented the Award of "Ham of the Year" in Arizona for 1988. Currently, and in past years have been a member of Broadway Consumer, an Amateur organization supporting the Arizona National Guard.
While in Southern Arizona, I have been a member of the Eastern Arizona Amateur Radio Society (EAARS). For 2 years, I conducted Net and Newsline report for the Club. In 2000, I was made a lifetime member of the South Eastern Amateur Radio Society (SEARS).
The W7AFC repeater @ 100 HZ PL can be operated very successfully on the E.A.A.R.S. remote, 447.825 100 HZ PL, by EAARS members only.
I have enjoyed Ham Radio for 54 years and will continue to do so in the future.
On August 30, 2008 Oliver became a silent key.
Rest in peace Oliver!!!
Oliver at the EAARS 25th Anniversary Party in Ft Thomas, AZ August, 1999
click on the picture to see the original.