WD5IQR is Al Loeschman, a ham since 1978 when W5OEB, his stepdad encouraged him to get a ticket. He succeeded, even though he had at age 14 thought he could not learn the code. Now an Advanced Class Op, he wonders why he didn't get his license sooner.

W4OEB, now a silent key, also inspired Bobbi, his XYL and Al's mom to get KA5BOA, and Buzz, Al's brother, to earn KA9CPM and then N5FTR. These last three form the Loeschman DX Society that has operated as V47LDX from Nevis and V31BR from Belize. The three earned consecutively numbered DXCC certificates in 1987. They have also awarded LDXS thank you certificates to over a hundred DX stations they have each worked and confirmed. In 1996 BeeGee, Al's sister, earned KC5PKQ. Buzz also operated as J87CQ from St. Vincent in September '97 and made Honor Roll that same year.

Al enjoys just about all aspects of ham radio and has been instrumental in the organization of two clubs, The Tumbleweed ARC of Vernon, Texas and The Chaparral ARC in Seguin, Texas. Al handled over 300 health and welfare messages after the Terrible Tuesday Tornados of April 10, 1979 that hit Vernon and Wichita Falls. He has participated in the Skywarn Program in both Vernon, Seguin and Madison County. Al is a member of ARRL, Texas Packet Radio Society and the Madison County Amateur Radio Club.

He has been in North Zulch, Texas since October of 1996, moving here to serve Bethlehem, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation as their Pastor. Al is also a scuba diver, enjoys auto racing, computers and reading Tom Clancy books.

He and his XYL, Jerene, an elementary school teacher in North Zulch, have three children: Angie, a wife and mother of two in Edmond, OK; Nathan, a Rice grad in business and economics, working in Dallas and Joel, a photographer's assistant in Dallas.