Biography

Thank you for looking me up – hopefully, we have just had a QSO! After a 35-year career in the Rhode Island State Correctional System, I retired as a Correctional Officer Captain in 2008. I have been an avid short wave listener since I was twelve years old. I cannot remember any time in my life when there was not a short wave receiver and a world atlas close at hand.

Pondering retirement, I decided it was time to pursue an amateur radio license. Something I had wanted to do for many years, but the responsibilities of raising a family and the demanding hours that my career required, had made very difficult. Now, with some idle time in my immediate future I decided it was time to join in the fun that I had been listening to for so many years. It was time to become a “HAM.” I started studying and received my Technician License in September of 2005 (KB1MQU). I received my present vanity call (W1KDA) in April of 2006. My General Class License came in March of 2007. I advanced to Extra in March of 2011.

In August of 2007 I was “bitten” by the DX Bug. I have been on a “thrill” ride ever since and have never looked back. I chase DX as much as I possibly can and love every minute of it. I also do a little contesting and have participated in NTS traffic nets both as a traffic handler and net control.

HOPE TO WORK YOU AGAIN SOON !

Equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS
Icom IC-7600
Kenwood TS-590SG
Ameritron ALS–1300 Amplifier
JRC NRD-545 DSP Receiver
Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium Receiver
Gap Titan DX Vertical Antenna (10M through 80M)
Traffie Technology – 5 Band Hex-Beam (10M through 20M)
Dipole (Inverted V) 40M & 80M