Biography

Thanks for stopping by. My name is Kerrye (KB) and I have been participating in amateur radio since November 2003 when I was originally licensed as KD5ZOV. I upgraded to general in December 2006 with a vanity call of K5KAB.

I grew up in Canton, MS and began my military service immediately after graduating from high school. I joined the United States Navy in 1986 and served as an AMH (airframe/hydraulic mechanic). I was stationed at Coronado NAS San Diego, CA; NAS Dallas; JRB Fort Worth; and NAS Point Mugu. I’ve worked on the F14 Tomcat (from the Top Gun movie), H3 Sea King helicopters, CH53 Sea Stallion helicopters and the C-130 cargo planes.

My journey into amateur radio began after 20 years of active duty military service. Now I’m enjoying the finer things in life like family & ham radio. When I’m not on the radio, I’m either working or spending time with my family or on the scoot with the XYL.

The scoot eventually won and took over all my hobbies for about 10 years. Then came COVID… After 2 months of quarantine and wondering what did I do before the scoot, I blew the dust off my equipment and carried it upstairs to my newly renovated radio shack. That’s when I discovered I was gone just long enough to lose my ticket along with my vanity call. After retesting and being issued the call sign KI5JIT, I needed my vanity call back. Special thanks to my new friend and the ham spirit of the newly acquired call N5MAK for allowing me to regain my vanity. Talk about COVID quarantine action!

To my pleasant surprise the radio world had evolved with new radio technology and new digital modes that are incredible. My interests are constantly evolving with this hobby which is why I love the lively range of amateur radio and am constantly learning something new. You can find me daily on SSB 20 or 40 meters, but my passion lies in 75/80 meter AM phone band (amplitude plated modulation).

I QSL 100% on cards that I receive. No need to send an SASE for domestic or dx. I use LOTW, QRZ, or EQSL. Thanks for the inquiries and the QSOs.

Best regards,

73s

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Icom 756 Pro II
Icom 7300
Icom 706MKIIG
FT 101EE
FL2100B
Nye Viking MB-V-A
Henry 2K-4A
Henry 3K Classic
Johnson Viking Valiant
Johnson Viking II
Hallicrafters Model S-40