Hello and thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been in electronics since I was about five or six years old. My Father, Walter (Wally) Glenwood Mummery, Sr. had a small radio business during WW-II and during the close of that conflict I helped him make five tube AC/DC AM broadcast band radios for sale to the public. Of course I didn’t do much at that age but the fascination for glass tubes and capacitors never left. I was first licensed at age 15 on March 27, 1956* as KN6RLA. I’ve held several calls since and held KE6XI for well over thirty years. In February of 2007 I had the opportunity to apply for K6RLA as a vanity and receive back my old call.
Note: For those who see me in Dayton each year, no I am not affiliated with the famous AM radio station KRLA (then) 1110 (now) 870 in the Los Angeles area. (Read an interesting history of KRLA here, http://www.socalradiohistory.com/krla.html)
Over the years I’ve worked as a production dispatcher in the aircraft business, production manager at a large electronic connector producer, systems manager at an aluminum smelting and rolling mill in Illinois, systems coordinator at a magazine and book publishing business in Del Mar, California, and retired (first time) after twenty years as an Assistant Vice President Systems Analyst and Technical Writer/Researcher in the banking industry.
Then, with my business partner and mega yacht captain Gordon "Doug" Ewen (N6GEH) we established Maritime Software International which developed an on-board, PC based Mega Yacht ship's management software tool called Boatswain. In 1991 when the luxury tax on large boats put the boat business in the tank, so to speak, I joined San Diego State University and was the Information Technology Manager for one of the largest SDSU Research Foundation Projects. On December 31, 2010, after another twenty years, I officially retired, again.
Married for over thirty-five years to a former bank teller and now a bank executive, Susie and I love living in San Diego. We also love to travel. I like to say Susie does her part in keeping the airline industry aloft with her many trips to the east coast and Europe. I’ve been PJ7/K6RLA, all be it a zero contract effort…after all it was a 30th wedding anniversary trip to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. I may be an old Ham but I'm not stupid!
You'll find me on all the HF bands looking for DX or on the Maritime Mobile Service Network at 14.300 MHz (www.mmsn.org). I'm also a supporting member of the worldwide IRLP WIN System (www.winsystem.org) headquartered in California.
I'm currently using an Icom 756Pro II and a Mosley TA-33-JR beam at 35 feet, a Cushcraft six-meter, three-element beam at 40 feet and a Butternut HF6-V ground mounted vertical. Also have two Icom IC-2720 V/UHF rigs, too many handhelds and a Yaesu FT-817ND, my fun rig. My QTH in Rancho Peñasquitos is just over 600 feet above sea level with a clear view of the Pacific Ocean. This place is a great DX and V/UHF location.
I am an accredited Amateur Extra Class VE with both the W5YI Group and ARRL and look forward to giving back to the Ham community, thanks to Gordon West WB6NOA. Also a proud contributor to the Northern California DX Foundation.
My Son Gene (K6EMF) at Palm Springs Hamfest 2012.
Gordo West WB6NOA and I at the Palm Springs, California Hamfest 2012
Al Wilson ZL1BD and I working the "high bands" QRP
at my QTH, April 2013. Yaesu FT-817ND is one fun radio.
"What's In Your Sky?" **
The backyard vertical (background).
And remember; “Ham Radio sparks the imagination, teaches patience, tolerance and understanding, increases your awareness of mankind’s achievements and promotes worldwide friendship.” © 1997 K6RLA
Best of 73s to all,
Ken Mummery
* Thanks to Lloyd K6RLQ for the update.
** © 2013 K6RLA
