First licensed as KN4VDL April 1958 in Corbin, Ky at age 14. While visiting my uncle in Northern Virginia, upgraded to General K4VDL at the Washington, DC ARRL National Convention that summer just before my 15th birthday. Took Extra Class license in 1963. There were no transistors in any of the exam questions. Held K3FKJ 1963-1965 in Washington, DC. K4VDL again in suburban Va until 1973 when moved to New York by employer (AT&T). Held W2HVA briefly. Obtained K2AV in 1974, held ever since. Moved to North Carolina in 1990. Apex is a fast growing suburb just southwest of Raleigh.

Joined the Potomac Valley Radio Club in 1964. After moving to NC, discovered that the ARRL contest radius rule was changed and there was an NC chapter of PVRC meeting in the Raleigh area. Suprising how many of the original DC area gang are still around and active in the contests, even if scattered all over the mid-Atlantic. It was like coming home.

ARRL SCM (now called Section Manager) for Eastern New York Section 1976-79. BPL medallion as K4VDL 1959 from Ky. Over the years have been in traffic nets KYN, 9RN, CAN, MDD, VN, 3RN, 4RN, NYS, 2RN, EAN and TCC. Was on travelling ham communications staff for the 1980 Olympic Torch Relay. One of my great thrills was running the torch for several miles in the relay route between Albany and Lake Placid.

Among the founders of PEARL and builders of the Ninham Mt. 145.13 repeater north of NYC in 1980. Active in Putnam County, NY amateur radio public service activities until moving to NC in 1990.

Shortly after obtaining the call K2AV in 1974, one afternoon on 75 SSB I was called by an old timer, who thought he was hearing a ghost. It seems I sounded just like his old dear ham friend, dead some ten years, whose call was K2AV. We traded stories for a while and I promised him I'd take care of his friend's callsign. I never heard him on the air again, and somewhere along the way I lost the old-timer's call sign.

Rev: K2AV - Thu May 6 9:03:49 1999 EUC: K2AV VYI8HL3KI3WW0-34161-4 k2av@qsl.net