Biography

I became interested in ham radio as a 12-year-old. A friend had a short wave radio and we tuned in some foreign stations. My Grandma gave me a 1935 TrueTone Console radio to listen to the short wave broadcasts. I sent a letter to Radio RSA and heard them read it on the air - they also sent me an SWL QSL card. I was hooked. However, I didn't have time to work on my ham license until I was in my 30's. My wife had choir practice at our church and there just happened to be a new ham class at our church at the same time! I studied hard and passed the technician test and the 5wpm code test to become a Tech Plus in 1994. After the code requirement was removed, I studied and passed my General. In 2014 I studied and passed the Extra and in the process worked with my son and he passed his technician license.

I enjoy working DX, collecting states for WAS, and countries towards DXCC. Living in an area where outdoor antennas are restricted, I operate using an OCF attic dipole or an OCF Greyline Performance 20-foot flagpole.

Note: I still have the 1935 TrueTone Console radio which I had completely restored by John Goller, K9UWA. He and his wife operate John & Jean Antique Radio.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

ICOM 7300 with 20-foot Greyline flagpole antenna and attic off-center fed dipole running 100w max.