Member Bio

Originally from Roanoke, Virginia. 30 years in the US Navy, mostly in the submarine forces. I was enlisted for almost 13 years (made it to CPO) and then was commissioned through OCS and served the last 18 years as a Supply Officer, retiring as a Commander (05). I then worked 16 years with my local school district, retiring officially in 2016. I was first licensed in 1981 in CT. (N1DYY).   I asked for my father’s call sign as a vanity call when he passed in 2006. (K4VCL)  In 1981/82 we were both regulars on the Virginia phone net.  I currently live in Oak Harbor,Washington and do Ham radio because I am interested in talking with others.  I also have a cabin in Eastern Washington north of Spokane west of Springdale. When I am there I am off-the-grid. I now have a portable station installed in my cabin . It runs off of two 12 volt batteries in parallel being recharged by 3 solar panels. I can also run my portable station on my portable generator should I choose to do so.  I have installed a IC-7100 that will do HF/VHF/UHF, 100 watts.  I have 3 antennas insalled there, an 8 element Yagi for VHF, a MFJ vertical dipole and an end-fed wire antenna called a “Zepplin”  They all work great and give me something to do after dark.

In my home in Oak Harbor, Washington I am operating an Icom-9700 VHF/UHF/SHF and Icom-7300 HF.  I have two verticle antennas installed as I do not have room for much else.  I am a member of the Skagit County ARA and the OMISS.Net #15806, the USTNET #813 and the ARRL.  I am currently studying to upgrade to extra class and will do some station upgrades when I am successful.  Wish me luck I am a poor test taker.  Finally, I am a committed Christian and give credit to Christ for all of my blessings.

Originally from Roanoke, Virginia. 30 years in the US Navy, mostly in the submarine forces. I was enlisted for almost 13 years (made it to CPO) and then was commissioned through OCS and served the last 18 years as a Supply Officer, retiring as a Commander (05). I then worked 16 years with my local school district, retiring officially in 2016. I was first licensed in 1981 in CT. (N1DYY).   I asked for my father’s call sign as a vanity call when he passed in 2006. (K4VCL)  In 1981/82 we were both regulars on the Virginia phone net.  I currently live in Oak Harbor,Washington and do Ham radio because I am interested in talking with others.  I also have a cabin in Eastern Washington north of Spokane west of Springdale. When I am there I am off-the-grid. I now have a portable station installed in my cabin . It runs off of two 12 volt batteries in parallel being recharged by 3 solar panels. I can also run my portable station on my portable generator should I choose to do so.  I have installed a IC-7100 that will do HF/VHF/UHF, 100 watts.  I have 3 antennas insalled there, an 8 element Yagi for VHF, a MFJ vertical dipole and an end-fed wire antenna called a “Zepplin”  They all work great and give me something to do after dark.

In my home in Oak Harbor, Washington I am operating an Icom-9700 VHF/UHF/SHF and Icom-7300 HF.  I have two verticle antennas installed as I do not have room for much else.  I am a member of the Skagit County ARA and the OMISS.Net #15806, the USTNET #813 and the ARRL.  I am currently studying to upgrade to extra class and will do some station upgrades when I am successful.  Wish me luck I am a poor test taker.  Finally, I am a committed Christian and give credit to Christ for all of my blessings.