CQ CQ de NW2M.  Greetings!

I was first licensed as a General Class operator back in 1985 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I continued to study the code and theory elements until I passed the Advanced and Amateur Extra exams about a year later. My undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree is in Computer Science from Monmouth University (NJ) and a postgraduate Master of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology from Johns Hopkins University (MD). 

My first exposure to Amateur Radio was in high school. Electronics 101 my freshman year (1970) taught the Novice class license. Cherry Hill High School East had a large ham station with a 75' rotatable tower with large monoband yagis from 40 meters thru 2 meters. Needless to say, I missed the 5 WPM code by one character and never returned for 15 years. I did complete all 4 years of electronics before high school graduation, but knew little of Amateur Radio.

My interests in radio were renewed when I began working with telecommunication engineers as part of my profession. I wrote my own code tutor program on an Apple IIe computer using BASIC and studied for hours. I passed the 5 and 13 WPM code tests along with the Novice, Technician, and General theory exams in one sitting. A year later I passed the 20 WPM and the Advanced and Extra theory exams. Code was not my best subject. As an Extra, I applied for a new callsign which yielded NW2M, which is my present callsign today.

I enjoy 2 Meter weak signal work and have built a 34' long yagi that I designed from computer modeling. My ultimate goal is to build four antennas for moonbounce. I appreciate the analysis, building, and passion which makes this mode possible. I also collect the Yaesu FT-101 series HF radios made during the 1970's, and have dedicated a webpage to this effort (www.qsl.net/nw2m/ft101.html). It was my first HF radio and I have the entire set on display (9' feet across!) in my shack - even today.

Best of 73 - Al, NW2M

rev 1/2009