I have been a ham continuously since age 17 (1977). My original callsign was WD0FLW. I spend most of my time chasing DX on CW, although I can also be found ragchewing on phone or CW on any band from 160m-70cm.

The (virtual) Paper Chase (November 2012): I have completed WAS 160/CW and DXCC CW, with all QSOs confirmed through LoTW. I am currently working on the much more ambitious goal of 5BDXCC on CW, also all confirmed through LoTW. This quest started accidentally when I noticed that I had surpassed 100 DXCC entities on 15 meters and 20 meters without trying. I managed 26 new DXCC entities on 10 meters during October 2012 through casual DXing and brought my 40 meter total up to its current 98 the same way. I am working on finishing 40 meters so that I can then move on to the much more difficult task of 80 meters, where my total stands at 49 DXCC entities. Europe is both where the entitities and operators are, but that is also the most challenging geography to work from western North America on the low bands. If you use LoTW and worked me on any band, thank you for your help!

Update January 13, 2013: 40 meter total confirmed on LoTW: 108; 80 meter total confirmed on LoTW: 68

I hold a Ph.D. in history (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1996), with specialties in modern Europe and modern east Asia. My dissertation addressed civil-military conflict in the foreign policy process in Austria-Hungary in the years immediately preceding the First World War.

Other activities include fly fishing, snowshoeing, hiking, bicycling, camping and (indoors) playing classical piano and writing fiction / non-fiction. The fish I'm holding is a 13 lb. (5.5kg) Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaykush) caught at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, CO.

QSL: I prefer Logbook of The World and upload all logs at least once each month. For direct QSL, send only a self addressed envelope -- no IRCs, stamps, or $$ necessary. I no longer receive or send cards via the bureau.