Biography

Some people may think me a little odd, I’m bald and have this odd thing going on with my facial hair. But with all the oddness I have to tell you I’m a fast learner. Being home schooled hasnt made me any smarter than others, but has given me this knack of retaining odd or useless information. When I first stated in this wonderful world of wireless communications a friend introduced me to CB/11 meter, I fell in love with the band. sort of. Being a child born in the 80’s I remember watching the movie Smokey and the Bandit and seeing how wonderful CB’s are and then when I jumped into it, I found vulgar users, it just turned me off. So what did I do? Wel I have always liked taking things apart and after spending so much time at a local CB repair shop, I started working there part time. While I was working I heared about ham radio from people coming in to get there mic’s fixed, But after doing some research I desided not to persue becoming a ham because CW was required to get licensed and well, tests have never been a strong point in my life and have always sweated when taking them.

In June of 2011 that same friend told me he was heading over to the Dupage ham fest. He had been telling me about the ham radios he had bought and ones he was looking for. I do have to admit that it did peek my interest but not all that much. so after he invited me I desided to join him (Plus he didnt know the area and I do).

This is where it began. After seeing all this stuff and not knowing what it all was, THIS peeked my interest and fell in love. After I got back home, I jumped in the internet and started taking some practise courses, to my surprise I knew most of the stuff on the test from working in a CB repair shop and hey no CW.

At the 2011 Kars ham fest I decided to take the test and to my surprise I passed. I enjoy learning new and odd things and even though I may be new to the ham community, I’m becoming a what I call a “New Elmer”. I may not know as much as the reader but I'm getting there. In the first month of getting my ticket I have built my very own 2m/440 antenna, studing to get my General ticket, and learning CW. Yes the same thing I dreaded learning when I first heard about amateur radio.

So here I am, a wandering ham junkie, and when I mean junkie thats what I mean. Not a lot of new hams cant say this, most have mic fright and dont get on the radio.


If your in the Chicago area give me a shout I might be listening.

Equipment

HF: Ranger RCI-2950(SSB) and Superstar 4900+ (SSB/PSK31). SCP Comm Switch SC-40AS antenna switch, Antron99 @ 32 ft and a 10 meter Dipole @ 38 ft.
VHF/UHF: Kenwood TM-281A on a Workman UVS-300 @ 32 ft
Mobile: Kenwood TM-G707A
HT: Yaesu FT-60R