I have always had an interest in all things technical. Growing up in the 60’s, I developed a fascination for rockets and airplanes. I vividly remember Neil Armstrong climbing down the LEM and exclaiming, “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” 

Then when I got to High School, my passion changed when I discovered computers – our high school had an IBM 1130. I remember that my final project for my first programming class was to calculate pi using random numbers. Not only did I use a real world application of Trigonometry, I discovered that getting really random numbers is difficult.  In any case, I was hooked. I was fortunate enough to graduate from Purdue University with an HBSEE with an emphasis on computers/digital design and communications. Along the way, I discovered communications which led to my first positions in computer networking. Thank you Professor Mitchell and EE440!

I picked up my first ticket in school – KA8KDL, but never did anything with it as work and family life got in the way. My early career was with IBM, and I had the great fortune to work under some incredible engineers (and misguided programmers) that helped to hone my skills (thanks to Don Scoggin, Jack Drescher, Bobby Parish, George Parish, Arvind Shaw, Wayne Baker, Bob Teague, Bud “I’m a Marine” Cook, Fast Fred (phph) Niemi, Sanjiv Ahuja, Jim Rich (KD5AU), Richard Freeman, and Bill Warner). Professionally, I have spent most of my career in and around technology, first building products, then leading teams that built and ran technology systems.  Most recently I led a information technology team where we built a Internet-based system to register and test millions of students and professionals annually, as well as built the first Platinum LEED data center in the United States.

How I got (back) into Ham radio .

Fast forward 25-years, my daughter left for college, leaving me alone with significant time on my hands for the first time in 25 years! Rather than waste time with boob tube or reading junk, I decided to get relicensed. I found a VE and passed Technical and General in one sitting – 30 days later I passed my Extra. Got my first rig in December 2007 and went on the air as K0ACP for the first time on 12/31/07! 

Since then, I have been developing proficiency in operating.  I enjoy most aspects of the hobby / service.  In 2009, I received my VE credentials from ARRL & W5YI and have been helping out on VE teams.  In 2010, I started teaching licensing classes and have enjoyed that as well -- Thank you Gordon West (WB6NOA) for the great licensing manuals! 

My Station .

My setup is fairly simple, but has worked well. The rig is an iCom 746Pro powered by the IC PS125 with a stock hand mike or Heil QuietPhonePro headset with HC#6 element and the Heil footswitch.  I use a microHAM USB III for rig control and digital operations.  I run software on a MacBook Pro / Snow Leopard using MacDoppler, MacLoggerDX, and FLDIGI.  Scott Anderson’s CabConverter is also a key piece of software for preparing contest logs for submission.  I enjoy CW and hope to one day be a really good CW fist, currently I am using vibroplex code warrior jr to learn and improve.  My antennas consist of a G5RV in an inverted Vee configuration that is supported by a 52’ aluminum mast. I also have a 2m/70cm base antenna (Comet GP3)  mounted on the side of my porch. 

I am a member of the following ham radio clubs.

ARRL, Eastern Iowa DX Association (EIDXA), Iowa City Amateur Radio Club (ICARC), Johnson County ARES, OMISS (#6174), PODXS 070 (#1140), and QCWA.  

Wallpaper.

I recently decided to start collecting wallpaper, I have my ARRL TPA #507, WAS for 80, 40, CW, PHONE, and PSK31, WAC, PODXS 070 LONP (#164), and I have applied for my DXCC.

High points .

Getting Licensed -- passing my first test and getting my novice ticket in 1983, KA8KDL, getting relicensed (KD0CBE, AC0JV, and finally K0ACP), 

Getting on the air -- N3MPI was my first QSO/QSL, getting my first DX QSO/QSL -- VE6BBP, my first cw QSO/QSL -- WU8Q, first satellite QSO/QSL -- AJ5C

Mentoring / giving back -- teaching my first class and seeing KD0JHW, KD0JHX, and KD0JXZ all get tickets and on the air!, helping KD5AU update his ticket -- Jim, I am still waiting to work you!

I would like to try the following new things in ham radio in the next 10 years.

Continue to refine skills, become proficient in CW, and homebrew. 

When I'm not on the radio, you can normally find me.

at the office, working around the home, reading or riding my bicycle or walking.