About the Author

Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, is a well-known 160-meter DXer and contester who developed a fascination with 160 meters in the late 1950s. Having read about the 160-meter accomplishments of W1BB in the pages of QST's "How's DX?" column, written by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD, Jeff dreamed of the day when he too could join in on the fun on Topband. As a teenager with only a receiver and no transmitter, this would not become possible until nearly 20 years later. While performing his military service from 1968 to 1972, Jeff used to listen to W1BB's enormous signal at sunrise in Bremerhaven, Germany. The receiving antenna there was a three-wire rhombic at 100 feet for 1.750 MHz. With such an antenna, signals from even the western USA were quite copiable in northern Germany. Still lacking a transmitter at that time, Jeff corresponded often with W1BB, who was kind enough to send him periodic copies of his famous 160-Meter Newsletter. This piqued Jeff's interest even more and at the 1973 New England ARRL Convention, he finally met Stew Perry in person. Stew was delivering a forum on the challenges of 160-meter DXing. A lengthy discussion ensued, some of which forms the basis for the early history of W1BB's career reported in this book. At the time, Stew Perry was 69 years old but still very active on Topband. K1ZM's personal affection for Stew Perry and a genuine respect for his achievements on 160 meters formed the impetus for the creation of this work. It is altogether fitting and appropriate that the story of W1BB and of his peers in the early years of 160-meter DXing be preserved for others to read about and enjoy. The author resides today in on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and on Prince Edward Island, Canada. He is married with two children and can be found regularly on 160 meters pursuing his passion-chasing DX on Topband!