Bryan M Bydal "TOM"

Born in 1966, and raised in the Kent,WA area.

First licensed in 1980 as KA7GLF at age 13, I upgraded to extra by age 16 when I received KS7O. Moved to KY in 1995 through my job. Got thecall W5MX through the vanity system in 2000.

Married and proud parent of 3 wonderful children, 2 girls and a boy. Ages 24, 21 and 18 respectively. Also, proud grandparent of a lovely granddaughter named Elayna.

Operate about 95% CW. I love contesting, but also enjoy dx'ing and rag chewing on occasion. Have grown to love 160 meters over the last several years.

Started a new club December 2012: Radio Ridge Contest Club in south central Kentucky. Current callsign just issued is KT4RR. A contest station is in the works on 14 acres of mostly flat, ridge top land, near Livingston,KY. After 3+ years of searching I finally found a good location within my budget and radio location criteria. Not total eutopia (mountain top, drop thousands of feet in all directions, no above ground power lines for 50 miles, etc ), but much, muchbetter than my current QTH. This club will be active in contests starting in Dec 2012 although station won't besort ofcomplete until contest season 2013. Of course there is no such thing as "complete" when it comes to a contest station! Currently I am in the process of building a 24x36 ft "cabin" for getaways with the XLY, contest shack in season, and possibly a retirement place some day. Holes are dug for 3 rohn 45g towers, 1 base currently installed - lots of work left. If you are in the area and would like to join the club please send me a note: bydal@roadrunner.com

See you around the bands!

Bryan