Biography

Ham since 1995. SWL since 1986. AM broadcast DX'er since 4 yrs old (1970). Just loved to hear those nighttime signals from all over the states and Mexico even at that young age.

I enjoy casual operating, I don't "chase paper" but I enjoy new countries as I casually operate, I have built up several awards, or at least the qualifications for them. QRZ.COM gives them freely (although I have a paid XML account for their logbook). ARRL wants money to award them, so whatever, I know what I've worked. hihi.

Born in 1966, I grew up with hobby computers starting at age 12 (after the Atari Pong from the mid 70s) and learned a little programming but really got into the hardware. This led me to my career in IT and building computers and networking through the 1990's. By the 2000's, I was wanting to simplify life and started dispatching and working customer service type jobs, instead of having to be on the road every day heading to install, troubleshoot and teach IT computers.

My radio experience started with Dad's 23 channel Realistic CB installed in the Chevy Impala so he would know when to "slow down" on the interstate. I used to sneak the keys off the key rack after my parents were asleep and head out to the carport where I would lay on the seat and talk to other young operators around town. I never knew about amateur radio and by the time the early 80s came around, the quality of the CB operations had become pretty horrible with all the cussing and fights, so that turned me off to CB's. Luckily for me, I went to an Electronics Tech College and was able to rescue a "surplus boat anchor" taking up too much room in the storage closet there, brought it home and bought a book about SWL'ing from Radio Shack, thew up a wire and discovered the magic of Shortwave. 3 am in the morning, I came across 3.885 AM and heard my first Amateur Radio QSO, old timers talking ELECTRONICS (my love) and the fact that they were using Surplus Military equipment, modified for the ham bands and even homebrew equipment. I was hooked and started to learn about Ham radio on my own, and although it took a few years to get there, finally got my license and love this great hobby.

Equipment

Nothing really fancy.

Kenwood TS-570D
Ameriton AL-811H
Zero Five Multiband 40-10 Elevated Ground Plane antenna.
Johnson Viking Matchbox Jr. (no issues with the power from the AL-811H)
Homebrew 135 doublet fed balanced through the balanced tuner above.

Lot's of accessories, small things like SDR dongles and SoftRock TX/RX.
Parts and pieces.

Several microphones but for that TS-570, the hand mic works and sounds
much better than the MC-60A desk mic! Amazing but true. I think the MC-60A
is hyped.


I have boat anchors.
Johnson Viking I
Johnson Viking II
Heathkit DX-60

Several Hallicrafters, Hammurlunds and a
National NC-300.