Biography

I have been fixing airplanes for over 30 years. From toilets to engines and everything in between. Many years ago I travelled the world as a member of the flight crew on a DC-8. I was responsible for maintaining the airworthiness while flying charters across the globe. As a youngster I enjoyed visiting many exotic lands.

Now as an OM I'd like to return where I once walked via radio. My desire to become a licensed amateur began in January of 2021. I bought several books to learn and set up my QTH by March. Whlie I studied and RX'd I learned the operation of my radio. I also discovered that even though I've been fixing and troubleshooting VHF Comm/Nav and HF Comm systems for years in aviation I had a lot to learn about how VHF/HF worked in the Amateur Radio world.

But alas I endeavoured to perservere (Chief Dan George) and tested for Tech and General in June of 2021. I furthered my self taught education during the month of June and tested for Extra on July 3rd. My goal of becoming licensed was realized. I am very proud of the amount of studying and preperation I put into getting my license all the way to extra in six months. Fortunately I have the electronics background and the work experience to help me achieve my lofty goal. I may learn morse, I may experiment with digital. But for now my narrow focus is DX phone, with the occaisonal rag chew or special event in my favorite place in the whole wide world; The USA.

Equipment

ICOM 718, LDG IT-100 tuner, G5RV Jr. up on a 40' (12m) Spiderbeam pole. Just recently bought a RigExpert antenna analyzer to help me experiment in antenna construction for optimum performance in reaching out to the world.