Stephen Ponder – N5ZE
Stephen Ponder – N5ZE is one of BVRC’s up-and-coming members. He has grown by leaps and bounds in the hobby since joining the club two years ago. After joining, Stephen was hungry for information and experience in many avenues of amateur radio, seeking out some of the club’s veteran operators and gleaning as much information from them as he could. Since that time, Stephen has evolved into the title of an article that appeared a few years back in the club’s newsletter, The Signal, entitled “Elmer – Find One, Be One”.
Stephen sought out help in getting started in amateur radio, and what he has learned from the club’s Elmers (mentors), he is now passing that along to new hams who are starting down that same path. It is the classic modus operandi of a zealous radio amateur.
Stephen’s excitement about amateur radio is evident: He has served as co-station captain of the SSB station at the past two BVRC Field Days, he is one of the Net Control Stations for BVRC’s weekly HAM 101 repeater net, he attends any and all club events and has served in helping to set-up and dismantle portable stations at the club’s recent Special Event Station events as well as coach newcomers in HF operation, he is one of the newest members of the BVRC Volunteer Examiner team, he assists in preparing the meeting room at BVRC monthly meetings as well as post-meeting tear down, and a plethora of other areas and events he has helped BVRC accomplish.
It is any wonder Stephen won the 2024 BVRC Volunteer of the Year Award.
He passed his Technician and General exams in the same test session in July 2023, then supplied himself with a nice Christmas present, passing his Amateur Extra in December, 2023. Stephen says, “I made a promise to myself that I’d get the Amateur Extra by the end of the year and got lucky after studying the license manual for only a week and a half. I was then on a quest to get a shortened vanity call for DXing efficiency. I Didn’t get the two call signs I originally wanted, but I like my present call, except maybe for CW. I expect some issues with the suffix of my call: dah-dah-dit-dit . . .dit (ZE). We will see.”
Stephen has been a motorcycle enthusiast for many years before discovering the amazing world of amateur radio. But in a way, motorcycling inadvertently introduced him to the hobby. Ham radio caught his attention after trying to set-up one of his buddies with a CB on the friend’s Harley. Stephen’s Harley came with a CB and a head set. He then looked into getting licensed in GMRS after he heard about all the linked repeaters at the time, and was simultaneously interested in amateur radio because of all the extra privileges. “If I’d only known how much more was offered in amateur radio,” he said. “I used to build small Heathkits when I was a kid in the late 60’s and early 70’s, but I never knew anything about ham radio back then.”
When it comes to Stephen’s favorite area of amateur radio he said, “My favorite area of the hobby is HF. I am looking forward to spending more time DXing. I am just getting started on that adventure, but I want to get DXCC by the end of the year. I think it will advance my operator skills faster than anything. I have also been learning CW to aid in that quest. I am tinkering with Allstar on a SharkRF m1ke lately. I like the idea of being able to check in to our local weekly nets from anywhere in the world. One day I will get back on my Harley and travel again. One additional area that interests me is antennas. I believe the time spent learning about antennas is never wasted. I really have a hard time staying in one lane when it comes to my interests in this hobby. There are so many things to learn about.”
When asked what his most memorable radio related experience would be Stephen said, “My most memorable radio experience was watching my son, Brad, KJ5CWR get his ticket. I am thankful he thought enough of me to join in. It was also pretty special when I made my first DX QSO’s (thanks Don, K5DB). I couldn’t believe I was communicating with people in Europe and Japan. Learning all I can about the hobby is a pleasure, and there is no place better than the two different field day events I have been able to attend – good memories.”
In addition to ham radio and motorcycling, Stephen also enjoys fishing and kayaking, bicycling, and “Jeeping”.
Stephen’s excitement in amateur radio has gained him some very nice equipment: “I am enjoying a Yaesu FTdx 10 as my primary HF transceiver with a Windom OCFD antenna. I have a Hustler 6BTV trap vertical that I need to find a free day to put up in the back yard for a backup. Presently, I’m also looking for the right tower to install. I also picked up a Yaesu FT710-AESS for use as a backup and a POTA rig. I have an Anytone D578UVIII Plus that I use in my NCO duties (2m/1.25m/70cm) tied to a Comet GP-9 antenna mounted on the peak of my house. I have a BTech DMR-6X2 PRO as my primary HT along with a few others.”
In closing, Stephen said, “It has been an amazing journey so far and I feel privileged to have access to such a great resource as the Bella Vista Radio Club enabling me to advance in the hobby. More than anything, I have enjoyed all the new friends that I have made along the way. The many different people are what makes BVRC so special.”
The feeling is mutual, Stephen. It’s great to know great folks like you as well, and we’re blessed to have you in the club.
