I was first licensed at age 12, in 1977 as WD9DCL, thanks to my Dad's inspiration and coaching (my Dad is Dave, N9IA), Tony, W9JXN, and help from Bob, WA9SLT, who gave me the Novice exam. I just loved to operate. Still do. I've gone through a bunch of calls over the last 32 years: WD9DCL, KJ9W, AH2U, NU9R, WO0G, AA9AK, WX3N, KW9KW, W9QA, NT1N, and NN1N.

Spent a lot of time contesting and DXing, was a local net control, tried foxhunting etc. Enjoyed learning from the great crew at K9HMB in the late 70s. Joined the Navy in 1982 so I could be DX. Ran into KD7P and KG6DX on Guam and had a lot of fun there largely thanks to them.

Left the Navy, went to school at Western Illinois University (where one of my roommates was Scott, KI5DR)-- mostly because WIU was only a 1.75 hour drive to the great station of Lew and Terry Gordon, K4VX and NS0Z in Hannibal. Some of the best times of my life were found in Hannibal climbing Lew's towers and operating with Lew's crews including KR0Y, KM9P, K9BGL, K9FD, WB0IUN, N4CC, KD9Q (sk), K0CA, N9JF (and kids), and lots of regional ops who would drive down once in a while, like W9WI, WN4KKN, AA0CR, K9ZO, K4XU, AG9A, AC9C, K9WO, K9PG and others I am sure I left off the list.

AG9A and I started traveling again in the early nineties and made a few trips to the Pacific and Asia, including a stint with Steve, VS6WO/K9WO and helping build the rooftop multi-multi in Hong Kong. That was another highlight of my life. Operating VS6WO as a single op in 1994 with a fully automated SO2R station in CQWW CW was one of the most incredible contesting experiences I have had. Joining Trey at HC8N was another indescribable experience to go along with another world record in CQWW CW. There was a year there, in 1998/99, when AG9A and I were part of the different teams holding the world records at the same time in CQWW CW for multi-single (HC8N) and multi-multi (6Y2A.)

After a few years Mark and I joined up with The Team Vertical Dudes: K2KW, N6BT, KE7X, W4SO, and N6TV and later N6BV and K9ZO and had some unbelievable experiences from 6Y4A, 6Y2A, and 4M7X using verticals on the beach.

All in between these events I had the privilege of joining operations, or single-opping at WB9Z, K3LR, K1AR/K1EA, K9NS, KS9K, VA9DH, KC1XX, K5ZD, K1ZZ, KR1G, KT1V, WRTCs in 1996 and 2002, XE1KK, and lots of others.

I continue to love this Ham Radio stuff, and the people that make up our world. Now, as I get older, I really enjoy being able to roll out of the rack and go to my own station and make some Qs. Having your own station is such a luxury, and I thank many people for their help in building, including W1UK, W1YM, N8RA, K1ZZ, N7NG, K7BV, N6BV, K1UQT, K7CCC, W3IZ, KB1LKB, TF8GX, and others whom have given me lots of their time and expertise.

CU on the air.

I am QSL Manager for the following calls, some of which are from my operations and some from those of my friends.

4A3A; 5J1W; 6Y5/W9QA; 8P1A; 8P5A; 8P7A; 8P8P; 8P9DG; 8P9JG; 8P9KU; 8P9KW; 8Q7WA (1991, AG9A's call); 8Q7WQ (1991, my call); 8Q7WX (1991, K9PG's call); A7/M0FGA; AA9AK/AH2; AA9AK/VS6; AA9AK/WH0; AG9A/AH2; AG9A/WH0; AH2U; AH3C; JL8UHZ; KC6KW (Palau, 1991, my call); KC6XX (Palau 1991, AG9A's call); KJ9W/KH2; KJ6BZ; KJ9W/DU2; KN0E/KH3; KN0E/NH3; M0FGA; NN1N/NH2; OH0/AG9A; OH2/NT1N; T32BS; TF8/NT1N; VR2/WX3N; VS6/AA9AK; W9QA/6Y5;  WX3N/HD1; WX3N/HD8; WX3N/VE3; YV7/NT1N