Biography

First licensed in 1975 in Bensalem, PA (Bucks County) as a CB Radio Operator (KKB1524 or KKB1754 ?). In 1977 i was officially licensed as a Novice Ham Radio Operator (WB3IOQ), but quickly upgraded to General Class Operator in 1978. Most of my communications were as a CW code operator and i was up to 20 Words Per Minute (WPM).

When i started going to Bucks County Community College, i was busy with my undergrad engineering studies. But in addition to going to school full-time, i was also working many hours as a Electronics Draftsman for Exide Electronics in Newtown, PA. Later while working on my Electrical Engineering degree from Penn State (Ogontz campus then Reading campus then State College campus), i had accidently let my license lapse. I was upset, but decided that i would return to Ham Radio when I had more time available; which happened much, much later in life.

I have spent most of my life working as a Electrical Engineering Consultant with my focus on all types of electronics hardware (analog, digital, embedded, video, optical, sensors, wireless, and electro-mechanical packaging). This lead me to work on projects for over 50 electronics companies and in every conceivable electronics industry (automotive, transportation, consumer, industrial, medical, defense, military, aviation, aerospace, datacomm and telecomm). My linkedin profile showcases some of the electronics projects i worked on.

In the fall of 2006, i finally had the free time to reflect back on the Amateur Radio hobby and was at Fry's Electronics and noticed Scanners, and other GMRS transceivers. I decided it was time to go back and see if i could not just get my ticket again, but to get all licenses ! In addition i decided to retake all tests (Novice, General, Extra & all code) all within 6 weeks ! (i was really motivated to say the least :). I had still remember my code since i was an avid ham 'fist' back in the day and made more contacts with CW than voice.

When I received my Extra Class license in California (call zone 6) and was issued a 'temporary' call sign, I really wanted my call zone to remind me of my roots. So I decided to go with my original 'zone 3' when I applied for my for my vanity call sign, since it reminds me of my early beginnings. It is also better suited for me since I travel throughout the United States for various engineering contract and consulting assignments.

Most recently I design with various industry wireless standards (RFID, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WiFi, ANT+, X10, Zigbee, UWB (Wireless USB), ISM, Wireless HD, and other PAN networks) , so I am more focused on mobile technologies 10m/6m/2m/70cm with having a Yaesu VX-7R for home, and Yaesu FT-8900R for mobile in my truck. I am involved with the insomniac net and IRLP, but would like to create a repeater based upon a ARM A53 (e.g. Libre, Rock64, Odroid-C2), or Atom C2750 (e.g. SuperMicro SC101i) micro-server architecture.

I also have Kenwood TS-530S and a Kenwood TS-830S HF transceivers with a Kenwood AT-230 Antenna tuner, but will need the appropriate time to set up those rigs with antennas if my HOA will let me. Also since they are old, they may need a capacitor and resistor upgrade to ensure reliability. I would also like to get into mobile HF as a QRP station using tuna cans or with a small backpack transceiver like the Yaesu FT-817ND.

I am currently studying for my General Radio Operators License (GROL) with the RADAR endorsement. I would like to experiment communicating with the OSCAR satellite, but my future long term plans are to invest into Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) equipment and maybe try for WAW (Work All Worlds). ;-)

Most recently i have been investigating Software Defined Radio (SDR), Spread Spectrum, and Ultra Wideband technologies as well as comparing various tuna can technologies. I think i might want to create a SDR for the small altoid cans.

Equipment

Yaesu VX-7R
Yaesu FT-8900M
Kenwood TS-530S
Kenwood TS-830S
Kenwood AT-230