Have been interested in radio since grade school. Passed Novice exam on my 15th Birthday, 13 February 1959. However, the license was not issued by the FCC until 15 May 1959 and arrived as KN9STH. Passed the General exam in November of that year, while a sophomore in high school. Acquired "first phone" commercial license between senior year in high school and freshman year in college (1962).

First rig was a homebrew 6AG7 / 807 with hand wound r.f. chokes! Had 75 watts input and less than 10 watts output (most of the r.f. was going back into the power supply!). Soon graduated to a used Globe Chief 90A. Original receiver was a Hallicrafters S107 (replaced a Heathkit AR-3 that I used as an SWL - got another AR-3 a couple of years ago). Upgraded to a Hallicrafters S85 in 1960 and a Heathkit DX100. Then built a 22 tube homebrew receiver which included 6 and 2 meter converters, and built a home-brew 2 meter AM/CW transmitter.

Went to college at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, where was employed by Motorola while in school and became interested in FM communications. Acquired 2nd station license of WA4MLI while in Atlanta. Came to Richardson, Texas, upon graduation in 1967, employed by Collins Radio (obtained another 2nd call sign of WA5STI - the FCC "kinda" upset me, missing STH by one letter, then became W5UOJ after the FCC did away with additional stations). Got my original call back 10 years ago. Owned the Motorola Reconditioned Equipment facility for the south-central US for over 9 years until Motorola went out of that end of the business. During this time (early 1971) became the first FM Editor of CQ Magazine. Had first article ever written published by 73 Magazine in 1962 (putting Heath DX-20 on 6 meters). Have written over 1000 articles for 73, CQ, Ham Radio, Popular Electronics, other magazines, and newspapers.

Over the years I have gone through various rigs for all bands 160 meters through 432 MHz. Presently use "old" Collins S-Lines for 80 through 10 (including the WARC bands). Use a Heathkit SB-110A on 6 meter CW/SSB, Heath SB-301 / SB-401 into a Hallicrafters HA-2 transverter for 2 meter CW/SSB, home brew on 220 MHz, a Heathkit Seneca (modified with VXO) with a varactor tripler for 432 MHz. Also use a Hammarlund HX-50A and Collins 75A4 for 160 meter SSB/CW. Have several sets of VHF converters (50, 144, 222, 432 MHz) set up to use on different receivers. All of my antennas are located on the back "half" of a 70 foot wide by 130 foot deep suburban lot (fortunately 1/2 block from the highest point in the city).

Recently "re-created" all of my primary stations from 1959 until present (except for Heath SB-200 and Collins 75A1 - still looking for them). This includes Heathkit SB-301/SB-401, Globe Chief 90A / Hallicrafters S-107, and a DX-100 with a Hallicrafters S-85. Am presently working on "recreating" some of my "secondary" stations. So far have obtained 75A2, 75A3, 75A4, 51J2, HQ-140X, SX-100, Mohawk, RME-6900 and several other receivers. Globe Champion 350A, Apache, DX-20, DX-35, Adventurer, and several other "boat anchor" transmitters as well.

Have collected antique and vintage radios (from 1920s to 1950s) for over 30 years. This collection has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution. Presently have over 100 units. Photos of some of these, my shack, and other items can be seen on my website http://k9sth.com as well as several articles on subjects of interest to many amateur radio operators.

Can be found on 160 meter SSB or CW, 75 meter AM, 40 meter CW, 6 and 2 meter SSB, and other bands from time to time. In addition, operate 2 meter FM, 70 cm FM, and 10 meter SSB mobile (especially when my wife and I are travelling to see our daughters who live outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (one in Scottsdale, Arizona, and one in Powder Springs (Atlanta area), Georgia, other one is still in this area). Have over 300 countries worked for DXCC, have been in many contests over the years, etc.

Joined AMSAT (AMSAT 239 / LM 463) the first couple of months of AMSAT's existence. Have operated on most satellites since OSCAR VI. Also am a member of the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers.

"Acquired" rheumatoid arthritis over 4 years ago and have become "semi-retired". Have been doing "boat anchor" repairs, manufacturing "specialty" parts for "boat anchors", chemical ground rods, writing magazine articles, and some telecommunications consulting. Also am one of the moderators for this site (QRZ.com).

"Completed" my original Heath "twins" + VHF station a while back. This consists of an Apache, Mohawk, Warrior, SB-10, and AK-5 for 80 - 10 meters, and the Mohawk, AK-5, XC-6, XC-2, and Seneca transmitter for 6 and 2 meters. Also obtained an AM-2 SWR bridge that was sold along with the Apache and the B-1 balun kit. A while back I obtained the fairly rare Heathkit CA-1 Conelrad monitor that was sold to "kill" your transmissions if there was a Conelrad alert. This was a requirement for amateur radio operators into the 1960s.

Am still looking for a Collins 75A1 receiver and a Heath SB-200 linear to complete the re-creation of all of my primary stations from when I was first licensed.