Biography

I have been a ham "on" and "off" for many years. I was a HAM/SWL as a teenager (1965) but never got on the air except for a few qso’s at an Elmer’s house. I guess I discovered girls and my interest in radio fell to the wayside until 1972. Got involved again with the call WN8QDE and spent my time on the novice bands. Had lots of fun, but yet again my interest fell off until 1985. At that point I jumped back in “whole hog” and have been very active ever since. Had the call KA8IUP and upgraded to “extra class” in 1986 and was assigned the call NU8Z.

I work all modes, but mostly CW and digital modes. I’m an avid DX’er and a “casual” contester. I’m on the #1 DX Honor Roll having worked and confirmed all DXCC countries. I have the DXCC on 9 bands and I’m inching up on 2500 band/countries confirmed (2470). I also enjoy rag chewing on any mode.
I'm a long time member of the Adrian Amateur Radio Club (AARC). This club has been in existence since 1947. I'm also a member of the Mad River Radio Club (MRRC), The Southeast Michigan DX Association (SEMDXA), QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI), and FISTS.

On the non radio side of things, I have worked in a number of areas. I'm a retired engineering manager for a major air-conditioning and refrigeration component company. I have also worked as a consultant in the automotive industry. I presently have a one man consulting firm that keeps me as busy as I want to be in a semi-retired status.

I also had a second concurrent career in the military. I joined the US Army in 1968 and attended the Warrant Officer Candidate and rotary wing flight training school. I did three years active duty with a tour in Viet Nam and after a 4 year hiatus from duty I then spent an additional 22 years in the National Guard piloting UH-1H's and OH-58's. I retired with the rank of CW4 with a Master Aviator rating in 1996.

On the family side of things, I have been married to the same woman for over 40 years. She is wonderful! She is into home restoration and remodleing. I'm blessed that she tolerates my ham radio hobby. Thank God, I would hate to lose her! We have two grown up sons and three grandchildren. Life is good!

Hope to hear you on the bands!
73 Mark
NU8Z

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

I have a number of radios, but my favorite is the Flex 5000. It is by far the best radio I have ever owned. I enjoy using the mix of radio and computing technology that it takes to get the most out of the integrated set up in terms of complete station operation, interfacing, and logging operations. Looking forward to the new line of Flex 6000 series products or possibly the new HPSDR Hermes. I also have a Kenwood TS-480.

I operate from a small city lot, but have been able to squeeze in some fairly effective antennas. I have a Force 12 C-3 at 50 feet with inverted Vee dipoles for 80, 40 and 30 meters. I also have a 33 foot tower in the back of my lot with a 2 element Lightning Bolt 20 - 10 meter quad. On 160 meters I use a shortened 160 meter inverted "L".