A Conversation with Jon Kimball NL7GP (now KL2A)
By Ward Silver, N0AX

Killer Bee from the Frozen North

It's one thing to get into contesting as your ham career progresses.
Some of us discover it after exploring the hobby for a time. Others seem to just take naturally to the sport, gravitating early to the fray as if born to run. Of the latter, NL7GP,Jon Kimball, is a prime example. Jon has been radio-active from the git-go, operating with Alaska multi-op crews ever since licensed as WL7BEK in 1984. Contestingaround the 49th state has taken him to such Arctic outposts as WL7E, KL7Y and NL7G where he does battle with not only Kilowatt Alley, but the elements and the everpresent bugbears of northern propagation.

His latest operation with the WL7E crew in the 1993 ARRL DX CW contest was plagued by strong aurora, nearly shutting down the station for 24 hours. One must admire the persistence of our comrades north of the 49th parallel in general.Fortunately for Jon, he does manage to get around a bit, showing up in major contests from tropical climates. He might be found anywhere from Oceania to South America to the Caribbean on any given weekend. Having no big station of his own, he's piling up the frequent flyer points to make the big noise from choice locales outside the continental U.S. I guess that's how he keeps his tan in Anchorage! Recent journeys to Aruba and the Virgin Islands have resulted in world-record scores. Jon was a member of the champion team at PJ1B in the 1991 CQ WW SSB with 60-million points. He holds top honors in the 10-meter contest from KP2A. Other top efforts include the all-time multi-single Sweepstakes score with W7EJ and K7SS. Some of the flavor of the travelogue comes through when Jon recalls his most memorable contest experience at V47G.

Not the big score or high rate, no sir! This particular trip south began star-crossed as Jon island-hopped, a ham-radio Ahab in search of the decent station. No-Vacancy signs were out at his favorite haunts for the 1992 10-Meter derby and Jon found himself settling down in a small hut on St. Kitts. Assured by the locals that this was an excellent contest QTH, but eyeing the tribander on a short push-up mast suspiciously, Jon ignored the mountain between him and the States and jumped in. We all know how worldly concerns seem to melt away as a contest begins.

All else is pushed aside until the need for sleep becomes overwhelming and the persistent call of Morpheus is finally answered. As this was the 10-meter test, a few hours of shut-eye seemed a good thing until an unusual sensation roused our hero. Sitting up on his cot and flicking on the flashlight, Jon found his legs covered with a swarm of bees! They were attracted by fruit juice spilled earlier. You think you're a smooth operator under pressure? Try persuading a swarm of bees to QSY! Luckily, no damage was done, but the adrenalin surge carried V47G on to a top score...in 'B' category, of course! Aside from fighting with the six-leggers, Jon's main pursuits these days include planning his own contest station for when the budget permits. And, as any of his friends know, discussing contest strategy is an always welcome topic. An ace QRQ-man, Jon will pop by on the bands to have a chat now and then at better than 35 wpm.

So, as contest season winds down, listen for NL7GP from home or away. Either as a loud signal from a northern bearing or blazing his way through from a balmy bastion of big scores, Jon plans on being a contest force to be reckoned with...and having a good time while he's at it!

THE END

 

PS: the webmaster had a great time at KL2A's summer cottage in Hood Canal, Seabeck, WA., and Ernie, Jon's neighbor pictured here, was our designated driver :)

(..we're still alive...)

(HF vertical on the background)