Having been a Radio Amateur since the late 1960's (WN2DWN, then WA2DWN and KD2DR), I have enjoyed many facets of the hobby, including CW, SSB, FM, and (more recently) PSK31. The CW/QRP bug bit me again in late 2005, so I bought a new Yaesu FT-817ND. Unfortunately, I had very little time to continue using the "817" as my work schedule is a real bear, so it found a new home in February, 2011. I kept the ICOM IC-7000 and used that until the arrival of a new FlexRadio 5000A in May, 2011, feeding a multiband dipole with "ladder line", and Palstar (now Kessler Engineering) AT-Auto tuner for HF. The Flex has been a real learning experience, and I have enjoyed every bit of it. I use a tri-band vertical antenna on 6-M, 2-M, and 450 mHz. I am using Yaesu mobile (FT-8900R) and portable (VX-8DR) radios for 28-450 mHz. In June, 2010, I have also been playing with digital modes on 160-10 meters. mostly 80-20 meters; I also use a TinyTrak4 on APRS with the '8900R for W2TXB-9.

My other hobbies include Motorcycling (2004 Gold Wing), Computers, Jeeps, and working with the local Ducks Unlimited (Owasco Lake) chapter. At the end of September, 2011 (after 22 years), I retired from EMS and may have more time to do other things (like ham radio).

My current call sign was that of my late uncle, Al Keltz, who got me interested in this hobby while I was in High School. After he passed away, I was able to acquire his call sign in 2001.