NAQCC: 2466, QRP ARCI, FISTS: 12736, SKCC: 2628, AMSAT, ARRL

QSLing:

I QSL 100% direct or via Bureau (ARRL or FISTS). NO SASE required on direct QSLs. I prefer traditional QSLs but I also support LoTW and eQSL cards http://www.eqsl.cc.

Bio:

My father got me involved in amateur radio when I was 10 years old. I was licensed as a Novice at the age of 11 around 1977. I spent much time as a boy tuning everything from the AM band through VHF. I have been fascinated by the "magic" of radio ever since.

I enjoyed, and still enjoy CW a lot. In my earliest years I was heavily involved in contesting and traffic nets and, of course, lots and lots of HF CW. Around the age of 15 I served as state manager of the Louisiana Slow CW Net (the regular net was outside the Novice band). As a Novice I worked any DX I could, which wasn't much. I had confirmed around 70 countries when I became inactive.

Starting my ham radio career at the age of 11, and having no budget for new equipment I used a straight key for a long time. My transmitter was a crystal controlled Heath DX-30 and an Allied/Radio Shack Shortwave Receiver. I had 2 crystals to start with and probably never made it above 4 though I did eventually get an external VFO which was a real upgrade. If I recall correctly, my Elmer Rick Lehrbaum (now NS6A), helped me by providing a keyer. Rick did -a lot- to help me and was a great influence on me.

When I was a little older and had a job I bought a Yaesu FT-901DM. It was the Cadillac of rigs at the time. It's hard to believe, but the main attraction for me was the built in keyer.

I let my license lapse around 1994 and regained my license as a Technician class with HF privileges in October 2006. In December 2006 I got my General class license. In May of 2008 I upgraded to Extra.

My wife is KE5LWE. My son is KE5LWF. He got his Technician ticket at the age of 9 and at the age of 11 upgraded to General.