Biography

Licensed since 1966 (KN9HFV, K9HFV) in Alton, Illinois. I allowed my license to lapse while serving in the U.S. Air Force. First married in 1978 to Penny (Solloway) who became a silent key in 2012 (KD4QHY). My son, Chris, was born in 1979 and became KG4NGR and now lives with my sister, Vickie Lewis-Fenwick, KF4LAF, in Shreveport, Louisiana. I also have another sister, Cheryl, KK4CNJ in Bethalto, Illinois.

I now live with my wife, Kimberly, in Gainesville, Florida. A second marriage (2022), I now have 3 step daughters - Grace, Saidee and Caitlin. Saidee has three children of her own, Emma, Kaylee and Dean. None of my new family has shown any interest in amateur radio (yet), but only time will tell.

Just getting back into HF after several years, I have had most of my interest in VHF and UHF FM. I own several repeaters in Gainesville on both 2 meters and 440 including AllStar, DMR and YSF Fusion.

Equipment

Yaesu FT-2000 - 200 watts with tri-band beam at 60' and G5RV dipole.

Anytone AT-578 (VHF/UHF/DMR), Yaesu FTM-400R (VHF/UHF/Fusion), Icom ID-5100 (VHF/UHF/D-Star) using a hotspot for D-Star access.

HamShack Hotline (6100001268) for easy access to the East Coast Reflector (also on my 444.9875 AllStar repeater), South East Link (Also on my 146.850 AllStar Repeater) and others.