I operated as W5QGZ, later W5LA during these first years in the Dallas Texas area. I was active in ARES, RACES, MARS, Traffic Nets, Public Service Events, Contests and DX. I was president of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club (1973) and Flotilla Commander of US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 5-12(Commo) during my pleasant stay in Texas. I taught numerous ham radio courses, in fact Jim Haynie W5JBP was a student in one Novice class I taught in 1972 at Buckner Baptist Children's Home for the residents and Dallas-area adults. (W5JBP is President of the ARRL today)

The News Story from 1973 above shows the W5QGZ station as it was from 1970-1975 from Mesquite Texas. The rig was the SR-150 driving an Heathkit SB-220. A TH6DX was at 50' on an HBDX-48 Tower with 80/40 Dipoles handing as inverted vees from the tower. Began to concentrate on Contesting "Big-Time" at this point. By 1974 I had converted the SR-150 to a pair of Drake Twins (T4X and R3C) and started two-meter activity. Took part in spotting nets from time to time. Also operated from W5FYK (Buckner Childrens Home) in some contests. Joined Richardson Wireless Klub (RWK) in 1975.

In 1973, while president of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club (W5FC) in Dallas Texas I travelled to Austin to receive a Proclamation of Amateur Radio Week from the Governor (Dolph Briscoe). Just before the exchange, where I was to present a Plaque to the Governor, our DARC Committee met outside his office. Pictured from left to right are Ted W5EJ (Silent Key), Walt W5OGZ (Silent Key), Jim W5QGZ (now N1CC), James WA5HTT and Larry W5QGX(???).

Starting in 1972 I attended Eastfield College and graduated in 1974 and I changed jobs to the Veterans Administration to be the Veterans Representative on Campus at Eastfield. In 1975 I changed jobs and schools to UTD

1975 found W5QGZ moving from Mesquite to North Garland to be closer to his job at UT Dallas. Operation was with a Gotham
V160 (160-80-40) Vertical and a Gonset GSB 100 with 75A3 receiver. W5LA callsign was obtained in mid-1976.

While at UTD as an employee of the Veterans Administration I also attended college full time, graduating in May 1977. I also helped establish the UTD Amateur Radio Club, and was the first Vice-President. By the end of 1977 I had a management job offer with a small not-for-profit company in Newington, CT - The ARRL.

At the end of 1977 we moved to Connecticut (See N1CC in CT-NY-SC for information)

You can contact me on the air during contests, via on Packet Radio or N1CC via Internet Mail. 73, de Jim N1CC