I was first active with ham radio as a Boy Scout about 1955. As a Boy Scout I earned the Eagle rank and learned not only morse code but semaphore flag signaling as well. The CW part did not come easy for me, but in 1989 I finally passed the 5 wpm Technician Plus exam. Today I'm working to become more proficient in CW and one of my first QSO's was in Buenos Aires Argentina. Many CW operators accommodate slow speed ham-fisted newbies and I encourage all hams to help keep this essential part of radio communications alive. SKCCgroup.com is a source of many helpful Elmers. CW does indeed communicate when all else fails.

I was trained in electronics over the course of 1-1/2 years by the Friden Calculator Company in San Leandro California. The Friden course began with the complete Navy NEETS curriculum. I  worked occasionally for Friden in various areas within NASA in Houston in the late 60's during the exciting Apollo Lunar Landing events. The Navy NEETS curriculum is widely available free on the I-net and on various MARS websites. I joined Army MARS as a Technician Class operator and was quickly taught the proper way to operate the ham radio. I encourage every new ham to join MARS.

In 1979, I earned a BS in biology and Christian Studies and then took a job in Saudi Arabia as a Biomedical Engineer at the King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. At one point I worked in the Empty Quarter Desert with the World Health Organization, who were conducting medical surveys of the Bedouin tribesmen. During this time, I also taught Christianity to Arabs. The Sermon on the Mount was particularly well received.

In 1992 I earned a Master Degree in Communications from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. I then earned a teaching certificate and did graduate studies in biology, English literature, English as a Second Language and library science. I taught English to high school students until I qualified for retirement.

Today I work with Project Gutenberg preparing e-books for their free on-line library, teach Bible study classes and work with the Salvation Army SATERN radio group. I also work extensively with indigenous pastors in East Africa; some of their work can be seen at www.HHAB.org .

I live on a small farmstead 20 miles NW of Corpus Christi in a rugged cinder block and steel home which I built entirely by myself. At one time we had a herd of 40 beef cattle, which I worked on horseback due the rough terrain and heavy thorn brush. The horse is out to pasture now, but always one of the family.

On the radio I've been working more recently with the digital modes. With the SKED pages and forum groups it is indeed a fun past time. See http://www.obriensweb.com/sked/index.html to discover the easy way to make contacts.

Hope to CU on the waves. 73, Fred AK5U