Note: for the Hiram Percy Maxim birthday special event (Sept. 2 thru 9, 2009), I received a LOTW certificate for my "KJ8O/140" and all logs were uploaded, and all special QSL cards were mailed. Thanks and 73

Picture above shows my cousin and noted SWL, Martin Foltz (right) and myself (left).

My interest in radio goes back to when I was about 10 years old, when my Mom had this 5 tube table top radio in her kitchen that could only pick up three local stations. One day while fooling with it, I managed to pick up a new station and got all excited. Other radio milestones include Christmas 1964 when receiving a transistor radio from "Santa Claus", the summer of 1967 when my Dad brought home a portable solid state AM/SW/FM receiver, and early 1968 when earning my first QSL card, from shortwace broadcast station CFRX in Toronto. Now, over 40 years later, I have over 400 stations logged on MW, over 160 on FM, and over 100 countries (57 verified) on SW.

I became an Extra Class op on April 30, 2007 and I would like to publicly thank all the Elmers who have helped me along my way: AB8XF, K2FO (SK), K4BRU, K8DXX, KC8HMJ, AK8I (ex KC8JAY), KD8DLV, N1LF, VE3KXO, WF5X, and my late uncle, Conrad Bappert - an electrical engineer - with whom I could discuss antennas. And of course, special thanks goes to K8UP, N8FE and KE8HR who are always quick to answer my questions whenever we are on the local repeater, hi.

Other radio activities include the Prince of Peace Amateur Radio Society (KA8O), National Radio Club, the International Radio Club of America, Cumbre DX, and the Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club (W8HP). I am also active with the Oakland County ARPSC (W8OAK) http://www.arpsc.com/ where I serve as the Specialty Officer for Special Events.

Amateur radio activities: 2, 40 meters and occasionally on 10, 15, 20 & 80, working special event stations, DX contests, state QSO parties and good old-fashioned rag chews. If you hear me on the air, let's QSO!!! I enjoy sending and receiving QSL cards, and I will QSL all correct reports. All that I ask is either send me one of yours, or include a SASE. Please note that I do not routinely enter my 2 meter contacts into LOTW and/or EQSL. If you need a verification, please send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to oblige.

• USA: Direct - SASE appreciated but not necessary
• DX: BURO
• LOTW
• EQSL

Ham shack includes:

• Icom 718
• LDG AT-7000 autotuner
• Hustler 5BTV antenna, ground mounted with radials
• Realistic SP-150 speaker

VHF hardware includes:

• Yaesu FT-2800M
• Jetstream JTB 2 antenna approx 30' in height

Mobile equipment:

• Yaesu VX-170
• Comet M-24S

Listening post for LW, MW, SW, FM, VHF monitoring:

• Sony ICF-2010
• Grundig Satellit 800 Millenium
• Sony SRF-59 (the lean mean DX machine)
• Sony SRF-39 (Thx Gary)
• Radio Shack Loop Antenna
• Realistic DX-160 (used occasionally)

WAS Status: Certificate #53645 issued in March 2009. Many thanks and a big 73 to all who have sent their QSLs or uploaded into Logbook of the World.

My family includes my wife Irene, daughter Monica, our granddog Cali. Our very spoiled cat, Sammy, passed away in February 2009 but his memory lives on. He is pictured at http://www.universal-radio.com/catdir/cuscat47.html .

I graduated from Michigan State University, and with a Masters from Colorado Technical University, and am registered as a Certified Public Accountant, where I work in healthcare finance.

VY73 and good DX.