Biography

The photo of me was taken in 1952 in Korea during the war. I was in front of a SCR-299 which contained a BC-610 transmitter and BC-342 receiver.

I obtained both my amateur license and First Class Radiotelephone license in 1955. I knew electronics well so there was no memorization involved. Today memorizing the test is all to common and as a result licensees do not always represent the best and brightest. We need a new licensing structure one that reflects ones technical skills and contribution to amateur radio. ​There was a recent two day class for those wishing the prestigious Extra Class license, two days and your an expert...it's that bad.​

Previous calls: K9ACO Belleville Illinois, W1KQG Framingham, Massachusetts.

A graduate of and an instructor in the Air Force Officers Communications School at Scott AFB IL.

Registered Professional Engineer Massachusetts #21555 (inactive)

At Harvard University I worked on the submarine program under the direction of Jack Pierce who designed the Loran Navigation System. (http://www.jproc.ca/hyperbolic/omega.html).

In the 1960s I was a Project Engineer with North American Aviation (Autonetics). Of the six levels of management I was on the third level. I was directly responsible for the success of their NADAR 8 program. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtjPvlo5Qg) I was the youngest Project Engineer at Autonetics and the only one that was a college dropout.

In 1989 I designed and built the first repeater for Fallbrook Ca. My interest was to provide emergency communications should the need ever arise. Just four years later the need did indeed arise with massive flooding in the local town of DeLuz knocking out all electrical power, telephone, and other utilities. Because of the hilly terrain in DeLuz cell phones were useless and for six days my repeater was the only means of communication. Those using the repeater were: RACES, the local fire and sheriffs department's, Red Cross, US Forestry Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. See QST March 1993. I also designed numerous operating aids published by QST, CQ and 73 magazines. One of my favorite designs was an LED SWR/Power Meter published in QST Jun 1996.

In the 1970s along with my son we established an electrical contracting business.

I am a member of AM International certificate number 63.
Equipment: As my main station I use an FTdx 1200 transceiver, Yaesu MD-100A8X microphone, MFJ-986 antenna tuner, and a Ameritron AL-572 linear amplifier. On the high frequencies I use a Cushcraft A4S. I use a Carolina Windom on the other bands. I have several other rigs, amplifiers and accessories, and lots of good stuff from Bob Heil.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

As my main station I use an FTdx 1200 transceiver, Yaesu MD-100A8X microphone, MFJ-986 antenna tuner, and a Ameritron AL-572 linear amplifier. On the high frequencies I use a Cushcraft A4S. I use a Carolina Windom on the other bands. I have several other rigs, amplifiers and accessories, and lots of good stuff from Bob Heil.