After a life long interest in radio and electronics, I fulfilled my dream of being a radio ham and got my ticket and call sign in 2002 while working and living in Pennsylvania. Not too long after I got my license I moved to North Myrtle Beach, SC and about a year and a half after that, I retired and focused my efforts on radio.

My radio interests include the digital modes and building electronic gear. I especially enjoy PSK31, it is a great mode for rag chews and making new radio friends. I find myself torn between operating and tinkering – the fun is never ending.

My ham shack, a favorite place to be, is a little room off my garage. My toys include two Elecraft K2 transceivers that I built; a K2/100 fully loaded, and a K2 with an internal battery and ATU. Also in the shack are a TC70-20S Amateur Television Transceiver, and a Yaesu FT100D. I also built a Small Wonder Labs PSK-20 and frequently use it on the beach near my home. My antennas are: a vertical loop servicing all HF bands strung through the oak trees in my back yard; a Cushcraft MA5B mini-beam for 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters mounted on a 40’ US Tower MA-40 crank up tower; a long wire in my attic, which has the added feature of often setting off the smoke alarms in my home (something the XYL really appreciates); a UVS-200 UHF/VHF base antenna also in my attic; and finally a 70 cm tower mounted beam for the ATV station. On the beach I use a variety of antennas, including: verticals, wire dipoles, random wires, and the latest a Hamstick dipole, some kite antenna experiments are on the horizon.

PSK31 is my favorite mode and I generally operate on the 20 and 40 meter bands. MixW is my digital software of choice. I recently purchased a microHAM Digi Keyer interface; it was an extravagant move, but has proven well worth the cost.

I also enjoy taking ham radio on the road with me in our camper. We love travel of almost any type and have been active RVers since 1970. RVing and ham radio go very well together. I usually have my K2 and a set of Hamsticks with me when we travel in our little Safari Trek motorhome. When parked, I screw the Hamstick in on the roof, turn on the K-2 and I'm on the air. When on the road I usually monitor 144.520.