KT7E: formerly AD7XZ and WB7SRQ Please use the OMISS or CCN bureau or an SASE if you want a card back it's the only way for a QSL

I was raised in the north end of Seattle, WA. After Shoreline High School I attended what was then junior college for two years then on to the U OF W for a while. I was an athlete in my school days and I’ve been a Husky fan all my life. I spent the last 44 working years in the injection molding business. I started out working nights and spent several years with night shift tattooed to my forehead. We moved to Hillsboro, OR in 1971 and have been here ever sense. I ended up retiring in April of 2008 after spending the last 20 years in sales of plastics injection molded parts.

My wife Jeannie and I were married in 1968. She has been the love of my life. We have one son, which is published. He has finished his first true crime book about the latest modern day bank robber www.lesrogge.com. We have a wonderful daughter in law and two beautiful grand daughters that live close and keep us in their lives. They are truly a blessing. Just after we were married my young brother in law came to live with us. He and his wife are also close and their son and daughter are like grand children.

I first received my novice license in the late 80’s. My first rig, as a lot of people back then, was a HW 101 with nothing but a bunch of dipoles up in trees. Having limited funds and a young family I couldn’t afford anything store bought. Thus the homemade dipoles and a also a homemade 4-1000 amp. My general license came a short time later. I remember being so nervous at testing. Back then of course you needed code plus the written. Some of us are still pissed at the FCC for dropping that requirement. Later I ended selling all the radio gear as the family requirements grew and we moved into a house that I couldn’t raise an antenna.

Sense retirement I needed a hobby to participate in. My wife suggested radio thinking one radio and one antenna. Little did she know. Back into the radio fun group. I bought some used equipment and up went an antenna. Up went another antenna. I now have a Kenwood TS 950SDX a TS 590s. I use an Alpha 87A and a Dentron MLA2500 Modified with the GI7BT for HF QRO and a RFC 2-417 for VHF. I've added a re-built TS 830s just for nostialgia. My HF antenna is SteppIR 3 element 30/40 about 40 ft up. Also up is a GAP Voyager DX for 40M through 160M. For 2M work I have a 13B2 Cushcraft beam. My neighbors have been wonderful with the antennas in their community. I owe so much for the help to my Elmers Kevin K7ZS and his brother Greg K7YDL. Both great elmers. They've helped so much but ask for zero in return.

Radio is a great hobby for people that have had health problems. After four back surgeriesI can’t do extensive exercise and am now with diabetes. I’ve made friends all over. Even with all the drugs with the surgeries it was hard to study, but I passed my extra exam in Jan. 2010.

Thank you for the time you’ve taken to read this.

73 and take care, Joe KT7E formerly AD7XZ &WB7SRQ