Biography

I have been in Amateur Radio since 1999. I am a Disabled Vietnam Era Veteran, I was with a Navy Anti-Submarine and Surface Warfare Group in the early 70's. We did Intelligence Gathering and Drug Interdiction and Search and Rescue Operations. I am also in the Color Guard for the Disabled American Veterans and a Lifetime Member. I am a S.A.T.E.R.N. member, a Skywarn Advanced Weather Spotter.I have been a Storm Spotter for the N.W.S. for about 19.5 years now. But due to a car injury from 04, I am having to quit the storm spotting for the Weather service. Started out in 1999 on the Emergency Management Office for Greene County, Missouri. I was on the Volunteer Board and Policy Board.I am now a Liaison for a local city Emergency Management Agency. I am also active in the National Traffic System Radio Service. And a member of the National Association for Search And Rescue (NASAR).

I am American Lung Association CPR/BLS Certified. I have completed the F.E.M.A. P.D.S. Series (IS-00139,IS-00230B,IS-00235A,IS-00240A,IS-00241A,IS-00242A,IS-00244A ) and N.I.M.S. courses (IS-00100B,IS-200B,IS-700A,IS-00701A,IS-00702A,IS-00703A,IS-704A,IS-00800B) and I am working on finishing the ISP Courses, having completed these courses( IS-00001,IS-00003,IS-00005A,IS-00007,IS-00008A,IS-00208A,IS-00271,IS-00301,IS-00302,IS-00393A,IS-00706,IS-00907 ). Altogether about 28 courses completed with certification. Learning the operations of Emergency Operations is a key factor to being able to assist in disaster's . I also believe that all of the Volunteers should be properly trained to be of true use to the Emergency Community in times of need.

Knowing what to do in times of emergency is as important as being available for service. Too many good intended people just show up at the disasters, with none or little knowledge of procedures. And in turn cause more Operations, Planning and Logistic and Security issues than they do in assistance. I feel Amateur Radio is very important in times of Disasters or major incidents in the world. But this is the reason amateur Radio is more and more being recognized as a true asset to the Disaster Response Networks and Emergency Operations Planning and Program Systems.I would also recommend taking some Basic First Aid and Advanced First Aid training. I have used this training Frequently on site of Disasters. CPR being very important also.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

I operate a Kenwood TS-44-SAT for my HF needs run thru a PS-430 and attached to a SP-430. All connected to a G5RV at 30ft.in the air . I use a Yaesu FT-2900M for Reports to the Weather Service in the SUV Escaper. And a YAESU FT-2980R in the house connected to a Vertical 2 meter at about 25 ft powered by a MFJ-4230MVP power supply. I also have a VORTEX Aneomometer for accurate wind reports to the National Weather Service in Springfield Missouri.