I've had a life long interest in ham radio, and have been licensed for 50 years. I was first licensed as KN1FUG in 1963 at 15 years old. My early elmers, the people who had the most influence on me during my early days in amateur radio were a neighbor Raymond Nystrom W1IL ex 1IL (sk), Jean Peacor K1IJV (sk), she was the YL editor of QST for many years and Sister Loretto Thomas (sk), K1ZOH trustee of the Cathedral High School Amateur Radio Club, K1UHA in Springfield, Massachusetts.

My interests in ham radio are varied, from HF to VHF/UHF operations, voice and digital. My CW skills have languished over the years but I have been steadily increasing my speed by just using it especially in SKCC contests (member # 10312). For equipment I have a FT-8800 for 2 & 440, in my daily ride, and in the shack I have a ICOM IC-775, a IC-746 PRO used mainly for digital comms and a FT-857D for portable work. I also have a Yaesu VX-6R which I use for working the FM satellites. My antennas include a Radio Works Windom and a Cushcraft A3S beam.

I enjoy being a casual contester and DXer and have the usual certificates on the wall. When a rare entity comes on the air I've been known to actively work them. I have been active in ARES, MARS and other EmComm activities since first being licensed, so much so, that I am now employed as the Emergency Preparedness Assistant at ARRL Headquarters.

If you find yourself in Newington, please come say hi.

73, Ken