I have been licensed since March Of 1982,and after an 8 week wait I got the Call KB4AUB,and remained a Novice class until April of 1983, at which time I upgraded to Technician class and applied for a different callsign and got the call N4IOE in August of 1983, I tested again before the FCC field examiners and passed My General class in Montgomery,Alabama. The following Nov,I tested again before the FCC at the Stone Mountain,Ga.Ham fest and upgraded to Advanced class and after a much needed break I upgraded to Extra Class in July,1986 at Pelham,Alabama. I started studying CW at age 9 and joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 as a communications operator and later switched MOS to be an electronics tech.

I first served aboard the USS Edson DD-946, "The grey ghost of the Vietnamese coast" As a radio and signal tech. The Edson, was home ported out of San Diego,California. and served the Western Pacific.  I  was aboard during the "Operation Killing fields" Cambodian, boat lift operation on April 15th,1975. the  USS Edson, is now decommissioned and is on display as a  museum piece . Pictures of the Edson, can  be found online,

 The USS Edson, was named in  a 1963, episode of the Twilight Zone 'Thirty Fatom Grave."  Although,.it was actually filmed aboard an identical ship the USS Mullinix, DD-944. The "BB" suffix in my callsign is  for the Naval designator for "Battleship" although,the destroyers "Tin cans" also fall under the "BB"  designator.

 I am a proud Naval veteran.

 So, if you're a veteran of any branch of the military and you happen to hear me on the air please let me hear about your service. I would especially love to hear from  hams that have served overseas on ships.   I have two Children that are both hams. my daughter Kelley, KG4UAQ and Andy, KJ4DBE.

  I can be found almost daily still doing CW and all digital modes. I have a worked all Counties SSB/CW mix. I'm currently attempting to work all 3077 United States counties using only digital or data modes.such as BPSK-31 or RTTY.

  Well, that's all Good Dx to you all. And God bless.