Biography

Retired physics/math high school teacher interested in most things technical (Apple-centric) and communicating worldwide; have visited in person most US states and Canada plus European nations and Russia. Very language illiterate, know enough Russian to get into trouble.

We have five Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMDs), four are rescues and one re-home. On the QSLcard below is Jack (SK) from Eden Prairie, MN, a BARC rescue; how did he get to the San Francisco Bay Area?: Road trip! Currently our home is ruled by Scarlett (12y.o.), Sefa (BARC rehome - 7y.o.), Amélie (Heart of Michigan - 3y.o.), and the country-bumpkin sisters Thandie and Quincy (BARC - 5y.o.). Though the average lifespan for BMDs is only 8 years, we have found rescues make it into their teen years. We choose to rescue rather than buy from breeders!

I use an Icom 7300 with Heathkit 1Kw amp (built by Chris W6ATV) when necessay with a Cobb Web antenna at 25 feet in the backyard which is on a ridge in the San Francisco East Bay community of Castro Valley. Very grateful for my elmer Russell KQ6BN, "strong man Chris" W6ATV and the Hayward California Radio Club (https://www.qsl.net/k6eag/index2.html) for their patience and support and the Mt. Diablo Radio Club for their license classes. Active on Ohana Net 14.268MHz (Mon-Fri) 17:00UTC, YL System #17819 14.332MHz all days and California-Hawaii Net 14.340MHz 1600UTC. Fascinated by activities like Parks On The Air and public services like ARES. I do not do contesting.

Mahalo and 73s to all

Equipment

Icom 7300 plus Heathkit SB1000 amp; MFJ Cobb Web antenna, 40/80m end fed wire antenna

I have a Weather Underground station (https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCACASTR122) and a PurpleAir Air Quality sensor for when the autumn fires come (https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0&select=25289#12/37.71459/-122.0851).