I was first licensed in Feb 1960 as WV2RBF then upgraded to General in Oct and to WA2RBF. I changed to WA8WWM in 1967 when I moved from Syracuse NY to Detroit to run the first Radio Shack in MI. In 1973 I joined the USAF and received KZ5WA at my first duty station in the then Panama Canal Zone.

In 1974 I moved to Empire MI where I later upgraded to Extra and received the call K8TE. I was president of the Cherryland Amateur Radio Club in Traverse City. In 1978 I moved to Cannon AFB NM at Clovis.

While there, a number of non-local hams formed the New Mexicans Engaged in Radio Discussions (NERDs), an ARRL-affiliated club. We each had specific NERD numbers and matching blue shirts with our calls and numbers. The NERDs continue today, although only four of us are in NM. You will find our web site at: http://techshareservices.net/nerds/ for the latest happenings.

The NERDs are famous for technical achievements like the first repeater in Eastern NM with a range beyond 15 miles. In 1980, W5VBO, NERD 10, and I competed in the ARRL Field Day in the 1B battery class. We took first place in the U.S. and Canada and earned the statement: “NERDs are number 1!” We celebrated the 20th anniversary commemorative event during Field Day 2000 operating from KU5S (NERD 5) in Wilsey TX. Jim is well-known as the author of numerous ham radio programs such as WinCAP, a propagation predictor, which you can find at www.hamtools.com along with some freebies.

I retired from the Air Force after 26 years and live in Rio Rancho NM where I'll finally have some room for antennas. I do PC and network consulting: K8 Technology Enterprises. I also work as a part-time engineer for Citadel Broadcasting in Albuquerque and volunteer with various charitable organizations such as a monthly stewardship column in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe newspaper People of God. You can find me on 146.58/224.58 most of the time along with other NERDs and DORKs (Dominators of Radio Knowledge). The NERDs meet on 7205 on occasional Sunday mornings or afternoons.

My avocational passion during "retirement" is racing sports cars. I drive a Mazda "Spec" Miata with the SCCA and Southwest Motorsport at NM, CO, and AZ tracks. You'll often hear me on 7205 or 14.190 traveling to or from one of them. While there, I keep in touch with my crew chief (and wife) Judy, KD5NEX, on 146.58 or 446.58.

73, Bill NERD 1

P.S. Please ignore the wacko who blogs using k8te--I am NOT he!