My first exposure to radio came with the construction of a crystal radio kit my Father bought for me as a Cub Scout project.  My first antenna experiments followed closely there after, because my Father became entangled in the “magnet wire” antenna I had stretched between my bedroom window and my mother’s potting shed. This forced me to experiment with using the aluminum window screens in my room for an antenna, and my bed frame for the counterpoise. 

Then my Grandmother purchased for me a1940’s Sparton AM & Shortwave radio at an estate sale for $5, and I was introduced to worldwide radio broadcasts.  The fascinating ability to pull voices from distant places out of thin air had me hooked for life. (This radio, still in working order, proudly sits atop my mantle.) 

I participate in a number of public service and “traffic” nets on a daily basis, and rarely go anywhere without either a mobile radio, or a portable station to set up once I arrive.

My main interests are QRP, portable, and mobile operating, as my philosophy about Amateur radio is; “All proper Ham radios have handle on one side and rubber feet on the other”.  However, I do maintain a home station for traffic and message handling, and enjoy coming back to anyone calling CQ.

73 Dan