I have been interested in ham radio since high school. At that time I only managed to scrounge enough equipment for a CB station to get on the air. The cost of ham gear and the code requirement kept me away for amateur radio.

After college, I moved back down to Seattle to get a job and took a position at ABC Communications. I worked there for about 9 months before starting at Microsoft. At that point I could suddenly afford some basic equipment but still had to contend with that code. I looked at it a few time briefly with some nagging from Art N7CC (calling me names). As soon as the no-code license appeared, I was on it.

I got my no-code Tech ticket and did some horse trading for a 2m handheld. It didn't take long before I wanted more and passed my 5wpm code.

Several years later Rodger KK7LK goaded me into getting my General. Studying for the 13wpm was one of the worst things I ever had to do. I passed the test the first time and decided I'd go for Advanced (no additional code test). The following week I was Advanced (beating Rodger). He upgraded the next month. My gift to myself for the Advanced ticket was a brand new Icom IC-756 (just couldn't justify that IC-781).

I left Microsoft January 2000 when I decided the whole world was still here. I had started a boat company, Mirage Boats, which I have since sold. I also worked part time at Radio Depot in Seattle to be near all the toys. Now I'm doing some computer consulting.

I finally upgraded to Extra to become a W5YI contact VE and offer new ham training through Microhams (the Microsoft Amateur Radio Club). I am a founding member of Microhams and the Pacific Northwest VHF Society.