I spent my early childhood in Albany, NY. In 1958 I moved with my family to Western New York. In 1968 I graduated from SUNY at Fredonia with a degree in Psychology. I'm also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie School of Management and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Buffalo. I have been an entrepreneur and businessman since 1976. I am now semi-retired.
I received my Novice & General Class licenses in 1962 & held the callsigns WV2ZRD & WA2ZRD. In 1975 I became an Extra Class and took the callsign K2ZR. I am primarily a CW operator. I am the President of Niagara Frontier Radiosport [NFR], member of WNYDXA, WNY Contest Club, Cold Brook CC, FOC #1694, CWops #515 and QRPARCI #957. I volunteer for the ARRL as an "OO".
Besides amateur radio, I enjoy gardening, kayaking, and spoiling my grandchildren.
My XYL Lynda & I have been married for 46 years and live in both North Tonawanda, New York and Key West, Florida. We are the parents of two daughters, Kelly and Robyn. Kelly is a graduate of Edinboro University and is currently a full-time mom & teacher. Robyn is a graduate of the Broadcast School of Journalism at the University of Florida and currently a full time mom & LMT. We have 3 wonderful grandchildren: Emily (14), Casey (11) and Isabella (4) years of age. Both daughters and grandchildren live within 5 minutes of Lynda and me at our North Tonawanda QTH: We are very fortunate!
My gear at my northern QTH consists of both an Icom IC-765 and a K2/100 which I run anywhere from QRP through 100 watts. I have an AL-80A amplifier which I turn on 2 or 3 times a year to make sure it works. I have 5 wire antennas: 160 Meter Inverted "L", CF Wire 210 meters long, EF Wire 125 meters long, full wave 30M delta loop and a 160M inverted vee. All of the wires are up around 15 meters. In addition I operate a variety of older radios: Heathkit DX-35, DX-60, HW-9, & Heathkit HR-10. I use a variety of small beams and verticals for VHF & UHF. While mobile and at my Key West QTH I operate my K2 and/or a Yaesu FT-900 with simple sticks and/or wire antennas. K2ZR/4 QTH, Old Town Key West: IOTA NA-062.
