Outlaw Bob K8IA

Outlaw Bob Epstein K8IA

President

Originally licensed in Detroit, MI as KN8HLR in August 1957 when I was 11 years old. I attained General Class, K8HLR, shortly thereafter. Earned my Extra Class license in 1964 and received the K8IA callsign in 1975. I was also KH6JLH for a brief time in 1973, operating contests from KH6BZF on Oahu.

Lifelong contester, beginning with 1957 ARRL Sweepstakes, where I made 8 QSOs in 6 ARRL sections. What a start!
Having a small antenna system and a CW-only station through my teens meant more efficient contesting in the domestic events. Because of this, from 1957 thru the late 60’s, you would find me primarily in ARRL SS, the quarterly CD Parties, and the few QSO Parties that existed back then.

During my teens, I also got interested in CW traffic handling and was active in all three levels of the National Traffic System. I attribute to the acquired traffic handling skills the primary mechanism that drove my CW proficiency, which helped my contesting tremendously. In 1967, I received the 60 wpm High Speed Award of the Connecticut Wireless Association.

In 1969, I partnered with WA8LYF (now K8LX) in building a three-tower (140’-120’-80’) antenna system with large 40-10 meter quads. Along with a close group of friends, we participated in several years of Multi-Multi competition in the major DX contests. This “big station” availability spurred an intense interest in DX contesting which, even now, still is my primary contesting focus.

During the 7o’s, I was appointed to the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee as the 8th Area Representative. I was Vice-Chairman during my final term.

I continued specializing in DX contesting in the 70’ s through 1985. I then took a 16-year hiatus from the hobby.
Around 1971-72, I was one of the original five founding members of the Mad River Radio Club. Very exciting times being part of a club that shook the old guard contest establishment and caused ARRL to rewrite a bunch of club competition rules!

I returned to ham radio and contesting in late 2001 and have lived in Arizona since late 2002, continuing to enjoy contesting with enthusiastic participation at a small station that some friends call "the giant killer".

K8IA/N7RQ/N7AT Hardware:
K8IA Corral (aka Station 1)
Ten-Tec Orion II
Alpha 8410 amplifier
Array Solutions Orion Band Decoder
Winkey USB
Misc Heil headsets

N7RQ Corral (aka Station 2)
Yaesu FT-1000MP
Acom 1000 amplifier
Elecraft KRC-2 Band Decoder
Winkey USB
Misc Heil Headsets

Common Equipment
Dunestar 600 Bandpass Filters at both stations
Array Solutions Six-Pak with dual controllers
Comtek RCAS-8 Remote Antenna Switch

Antennas
160: 78’ vertical (shunt fed tower w/Omega matching network) with 60 radials
80: Vertically fed, full-sized Delta Loop
160/80 receiving antennae: Pr K9AY Loops; Short beverage
40: M-Squared 40M3L 3 el yagi at 71’
20 thru 10: 3 el SteppIR at 78’; Bencher Skyhawk at 45’ (fixed east), 5 el 15m yagi at 61' (fixed JA)

From 2003 until mid-2009 I was the Contest Coordinator for the Central Arizona DX Association.

In June 2009, with major assistance from xyl N7RQ, and my close contest friends KC7V, K7WP and AB7E, we formed the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club to give a contest presence to the wonderful bunch of experienced and newer contesters here in the Grand Canyon State. The enthusiasm that has been generated has been most rewarding!

I have attained some significant contest scores throughout my contest career and even a few records along the way. It's been a great run that still continues with me in a teaching role as well as in contesting. Helping others sustain their passion for contesting puts a smile on my face every day!

At the K8IA Hideout