've been moved...literally. I have a new home, new shack, and lots of room to string wire antennas. I even have a new call sign of W4RLR. (ex KI4PEQ) What I don't have are pictures of the place, YET. Maybe when things wind down, I can get the tower up, string up some wire, and get back to the fun of amateur radio.

About me:

I was born July 3, 1957 in Miami, Florida, and have been a resident of Florida most of my life, growing up in Hollywood, Florida. I am a graduate of Cooper City High School, Cooper City Florida, being a member of the first full graduating class in June 1975. Upon graduation, I took a summer off, then headed north for four years of undergraduate study. I attended the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut, and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Theatre in June 1979.

After graduation, I met my first wife, and after a few months of marriage, the job market turned sour and steady work was hard to find. I worked as a multi-media specialist for AAA Cooper Transportation in Dothan, Alabama, a trainer for the CETA program for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Atmore, Alabama, a manager for Septum Cinemas, Inc. in Mableton, Georgia, and as a production assistant for Gordon Communications/WTSG TV 31 in Albany, Georgia.

Three dead end jobs and one failed marriage later, I decided a drastic change was in order. The change came in the form of a meeting with the local U.S. Air Force recruiter, and I joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1983.

I attended the Defense Information School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in late 1983, graduating in early 1984. My course work included the Basic Broadcaster Course, the Electronic Journalism Course (both in residence) and the Basic Journalist Course by correspondence in 1987.

While overseas, I earned a Certificate in Information Systems Management from University of Southern California - European Campus in June 1991. In my military career, I have worked as a broadcast journalist, radio announcer, and feature producer for the Air Force European Broadcasting Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the American Forces Network - Europe (AFN-E) in Frankfurt, Germany. My duty locations included Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Torrejon Air Base, Spain, Stuttgart Military Community, Germany, and Soesterberg Royal Netherlands Air Base, Soesterberg, The Netherlands from 1984 to 1994. I was the Community Relations NCO for the 22d Air Refueling Wing, March Air Force Base, California from 1987 to 1988. I was the Special Projects NCO and base newspaper staff writer for the 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida from 1994 to 1996.

Injuries sustained overseas led to my ineligibility for further military service. I was offered and took medical retirement from the Air Force. During the first few years of my retirement I earned certifications as a Novell computer network systems administrator as well as earning an Associate of Science in Computer Network Administration from Okaloosa-Walton Community College, (now Northwest Florida State College) in May 1998.

I worked part-time briefly for WYZB-FM as a mid day announcer and at WFTW-AM as a relief host and weekend sports board operator.

I am now a minority partner in a mobile pet grooming business started by my wife, Laura. We have recently celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, having been married since November 10, 1988. We are the parents of two adult sons, two daughters, and have three grandsons.

I am a member of the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club. My Amateur interests include digital modes, APRS, emergency communications. I am also a member of SATERN, Crestview CERT, and a trained storm spotter for the National Weather Service Office, Mobile, Alabama.

My amateur radio gear:

Yaesu FT-7800D 440/2 meters installed in the mobile. In my go kiit, Yaesu FT-60 handheld and a ICOM IC 91 AD for D-STAR work. In the shack, there is a Yaesu FT-100D that replaces a Yaesu FT-987D that was the victim of a power line lightning strike.  MFJ Morse Code Keyer/Reader LDG antenna switch LDG antenna tuner G5RV Tram 2 meter/440 vertical MFJ 1775 40 meter and above rotatable dipole Macintosh computers handle logging and rig control.

Other interests: My other interests include computers. geneology, travel and camping, web design, blogging and writing for local media.