Hi everyone, I am not of USA vintage, but am proud to be a naturalized citizen.

My interest in radio stretches back to when I was about 8 years old or so. As a Cub Scout I made my first crystal set and the bug hit me. I have been an avid SWL ever since then and have enjoyed keeping up with what goes on around the world and especially back home in the UK. As a teenager growing up in the suburbs of Miami, Florida, in addition the mandatory SSB CB rig, I ran SW mobile. My previous callsigns were KF4OZH and KU4MY.

After starting out with my dream station for HF after getting my license (a complete Kenwood TS 450S/AT with all matching toys and pretties), I have tried a few different rigs and station set ups, most notably a loaded Yaesu FT-980 (awesome) and I have parted with my beloved Yaesu FT-100D (How can something so brutal be crammed into such a small package?!?!) and am now running my second Kenwood TS-570Dg (this one actually used to belong to Bob Heil) and am primarily on PSK31 if not on SSB. I also operate 2m and 70cm using a Kenwood TMV7A, but as I live in a deep valley, down on a creek bank, VHF and UHF operations are a considerable challenge. When mobile I run a Yaesu FT-857D into a screwdriver and I’m QRV for 6m through 80m, as well as a 2m and 70cm. Either way, when on voice, I can usually be found on 60m US channel 4 (5.373 / 5.371.5) whether at home or mobile.

I live in a very radio active community and am fortunate to have many friends which share similar interests to mine. My beautiful young wife is Sheryl and her call is KF4UIP. I have a daughter who lives in Hollywood, Florida and we also have a daughter that lives with us and is completely embarrassed by my antenna laden vehicle, but she is my hamfest buddy and she loves to see all of the sights and enjoy all of the unique smells associated with the whole hamfest environment. She says we are more fun to watch than people at the airport, or even freaks at a side show. Either way, at the moment, I still have the last laugh when I pull up to pick her up at school, sporting all of the finest stainless steel and fiberglass aerials that money can buy!

73 de Tom ~ WV6Z

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