Long ago and far away, when I was just a young teenager, I was fascinated by rockets, science and radio. I took my first ham radio class while living in New York City at the old Worlds Fair - Fairgrounds in Flushing, Queens. There, I built a crystal radio and passed the written portion of the the "novice" license. They required one to pass Morse back then and I can't seem to remember whether I took the 5 wpm test or not. Needless to say, the fascination with radio died when I took on other pursuits - music (played trombone in a jazz band and guitar). The love affair with music never died as I continue to play guitar to this day.

The love for radio was rekindled in 2009 when I got interested in emergency communications and soon I made the connection between my old fascination with radio rigs (old Heathkits) and emcomm.

I took the "no Morse" Technician Test at the Greenwood ARS site in February 2009 (Red Cross building and passed. I then started looking for an HF rig and since I liked the sound of tube radios - I found a Kenwood TS830S from a Canadian missionary ham who was trying to raise funds for their new baby. The package came with an MFJ tuner. The radio had some trouble generating drive - and so KF4BY (Stan) helped me with diagnostics and soon it was back to full power.

I took the General Class Exam in Greenville at the Red Cross building in Grove Rd where I met one of the VEs Gary (KI4DOS). I passed that test as well in February 2010 almost a year from passing the Tech test. I took the Extra Class test in Spartanburg in April 2010 - just a few months after passing the General. I requested the FCC issue a new call sign and got the call AJ4YM. I applied for vanity call signs soon thereafter and after a few tries got the call NY4G which is nice call sign for CW and reminds me of my NY roots.

I assembled my ham gear and created a ham shack in a spare basement room. I connected a G5RV about 70 ft up into the trees and I have a 5/8 copper J-pole for FM.

I like operating portable either with my Elecraft K2 or KX3 - both of which i built from kits. Although I have done all the modes, SSB, digital, and CW, I have become primarily a CW operator. I like to participate in NAQCC and SKCC sprints. I also like to do Field Day and a little bit of contesting.

I am blessed and grateful that I have been able to pursue the avocations I loved when I was a young man - music, woodworking and radio.

God has given me a better appreciation for the simple things in life after my heart attack in 2009. He has given me a new life and new hope in his Son Jesus Christ. He also has given me two great sons and a supportive wife. My older son wants to be a missionary / English teacher in China and my younger son is a very talented artist and graphic designer. God has given me a great career as a mechanical design engineer designing hot section turbine blades for GE. I love my work and find it very rewarding helping younger engineers approach design.

This creative interest transcends well to into amateur radio since by nature - hams are resourceful, inventive and creative and by their very nature experimenters. I just finished building a few kits, an OHR wattmeter that I use in the shack for QRP, a keyer in an Altoids tin, and of course the K2 SN7105 and its many options, KX1 #2608 and KX3 #1211. Thanks for reading my bio.

FISTS 15355

SKCC 7288T

NAQCC 5308

WAS #55400

DXCC #46,626 Mixed Mode

DXCC #13,293 CW