I was first licensed as KN8MFO at age 12 in 1958, and became K8MFO about 11 months later. This was in Ontonagon County, in the western end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.My Dad - K8HHZ, a WWII CW operator, had become a ham just a year before that.He was encouraged by 2 hams with whom he partnered in a copper mine. Ham radio was alive and well in that area, although most of the operation was on 75 and 10 meter AM PHONE. The guy who gave me my Novice Exam - W8FYZ gave me a bunch of CQ and QST magazines, and I read about the exploits of Danny Weil - VP2VB, Bob Dennison - W0NWX, and others who operated from exotic spots. That's when I decided to become a DXer, and I have been ever since! My initial reason for upgrading was so that I could also operate AM PHONE, but I liked CW immediately, and that continues to be my mode of choice.

I graduated from Michigan State University in June 1967, with a lot of that time in the W8SH club ham shack! Less than a year after graduation, I was drafted by the U S Army and spent 14 1/2 months in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. This provided the chance for travel to some exotic locations.

Was lucky to be able to retire from my "day job" at age 53 in 1999, and now I grow and sell Christmas trees in Ohio's Amish Country. Also dabble in a little wine making.

I've operated from several DX locations over the years including VS6 - Hong Kong, BV2 - Taiwan, XV5 - Vietnam, OJ0 - Market Reef, and several locations in the Caribbean. I've also dabbled in QRP and worked all 3077 USA counties twice on CW. These days I haunt the most challenging bands, 160 and 6 meters, and actively chase the DXCC Challenge. I'm in a good portion of the CW contests, but almost invariably as a low key participant, chasing my own personal goals. That could be to chase a half million points in a DX Contest from my "barn station" using an ancient Johnson transmitter, Colllins receiver, and a Windom antenna, or perhaps an effort to work 100 countries or all ARRL sections.

FUN is my primary objective in ham radio, and I try not to take myself too seriously in the process.