I was first licensed in Minnesota in 1954 as a novice, with the call WN0WDW. I had become interested in radio through boy scouts. Later, I obtained the general license and was W0WDW. In those years I was very active as a traffic handler on 80 meter cw. My family moved to California in 1958 and I was assigned the call K6QXC. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific, in 1962 I moved to Oregon and was assigned the call K7PNE. Later I was drafted into the Army and served in California, Louisiana and Georgia. Upon discharge, I traveled extensively in Europe for about a year, then moved back to Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota, earning a Masters degree in speech/communication. I was assigned the call W0LKJ. When old calls were made available in the early 70's, I applied for my old call, W0WDW and got it. After many years of inactivity, I obtained the Extra Class license in the 1980's and in 1997 obtained the vanity call, W0OR. I am an avid contester (4 times Minnesota CW Sweepstakes winner; first place ARRL DX Contest, CW in 1985 at KV4FZ, etc.) I am a member of the Twin City DX Association and Minnesota Wireless Association. I served 4 terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1975-1982. I owned and operated a video production and duplication business for more than 20 years, which I sold seven years ago. Today I am a semi-retired public safety radio consultant.

My wife Christine and I have been married for 34 years; I have two adult children, Kassie and Josh, and am finally in a position to once again spend a little time on ham radio. Other hobbies include golf, distance running, international travel, writing, playing jazz piano, and politics.