Biography

Hi, my name is Tom, and I was born in June 1971 here in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

I discovered Amatuer Radio in 2010 when I found I needed an Amatuer Radio License to transmit 900mhz video from one of my RC Aircraft. While most RC pilots ignore the requirement, I decided to do it right and I earned my Technician's class license. At the time I was also working on my private pilot's license (in gliders) at Seminole Lake Gliderport in Clermont, FL. I found I was uncomfortable using the radio while flying so I decided to buy an HF radio to get more experience.

I earned my pilot's license and purchased my own glider, a Schweizer 1-26E. I did some cross country flying in my little 1-26 glider, around 30 miles, and my longest duration flight was 4 hours (no engine). This is hard work in Florida where there are no ridges. I sold my glider a few years ago and hope to buy another when I retire. For now I am racing hare scrambles (enduro motorcross).

I was fortunate enough to become interested in computer programming at age 12 in 1982, and have had a solid career as a software developer for the past 30 years.

I really enjoy the history of computers, and I spend a lot of time repairing and restoring vintage computers from the 1970s and 1980s.

I spent a few years away from amateur radio, and sold all of my equipment when I moved to Saint Augustine, FL. A good friend of mine begged me to play radio with him again so I am back with minimal equipment.

Now I'm using a little Xeigu G90, and a 53' vertical wire on a 9:1 unun. I take the little g90 with me hiking and dirtbiking find I am satisfied with using on 15 watts. I find it more fun actually, especially with the weak signal modes like JS8call. I do miss the features of the kenwood radios I had before, but it is still a fun little radio and easy to take with me.

I hope to meet you on the air. If it's CW, please be paitent with me I am still learning!

73 de KJ4RZZ

Equipment

Xeigu G90