I first became interested in radio at the age of 10, when my grandfather gave me a crystal-radio kit for my birthday. After playing around with electronics stuff for a few years, I got sidetracked by a newfangled innovation called a "timeshared computer", and set aside my radio interests (for the most part) for 30-odd years. I've earned my living doing operating system and similar software development for most of that time, and played around with audio electronics and speaker-building on the side.

Finally, in 2002, at the age of 47, I got a "round tuit". I sat down to study for a few months, and passed my Technician, General, and Extra exams. I'm sorry I waited this long.

Currently I'm operating most days on 2 meters, mostly on the N6NFI repeater. I've signed up with the local ARES/RACES organizations and am learning how to take part in providing emergency communications services. I've build my own VHF/UHF base antenna (a "Copper Cactus" J-pole) and HF antenna (a full-length triple dipole for 40/20/15/10) and am slowly but surely learning my way around the HF bands. Most distant contacts so far are Barbados (20M SSB) and Patagonia (10M PSK31).

DX QSLs can go direct, or via the ARRL Region 6 bureau.