Member Bio

My interest in Amateur Radio started when I was in the 7th grade when a neighborhood ham operator, Harris Prefontaine WB8BJY (now SK), came to my school to see if anyone was interested in learning Morse Code. As he was my neighbor and I knew him somewhat I thought this could be interesting. I learned the code but never took it much further until later. I joined the Air Force in 1975 and my first base was Osan AB, Korea. They had a MARS station on base so that we could send messages back home, well before the days of the Internet and PC’s. They were looking for volunteers to work the station (Callsign: AIA3OS) so I jumped in. Here the desire for getting involved in ham radio was implanted into the forefront of my mind. Once I served my time in the USAF my brother Tim had his license (KA8PDC then, W8TBZ now) and he became a great encouragement to me about getting my license. So in the early 80’s I got my Novice ticket and my General in 1995. My interest was strong for awhile but things of life like work, kids, family kind of slowed down the interest. Now I am retired and jumped back in. I love experimenting with wire antennas and am now utilizing an EFHW for my primary antenna. My current radio is my financially responsible Icom IC-718. Where before I had no patience and no time to wait out the pileups for getting that missing DX station. Now I have the time and a little more patience. I love the hobby and am enjoying the friendships that I am forging. My first QSO as a Novice was with a guy named Bill Waterston (VE3MWJ, now SK) who lived in Hamilton, Ontario. I was trying to have the perfect fist and send perfect CW, only to fail. As I stumbled in that first QSO he told me to slow it down and to take my time and do it right and worry about the speed later. That was the best advice I ever received from another ham. We ended up writing letters back and forth for several years with our old manual typewriters about the hobby, antennas, our families. He was in his upper 80’s then. I learned that he fought with the Canadians and landed at Gold beach during the battle at Normandy. The things we learn about other people, other hams, is often amazing and humbling. You’ve got to love this hobby…… 73’s!

ARRL Member

SKCC# 25162