Location: EN82gt, Brandon Township, Oakland County, Michigan.

Awards: DXCC: Honor Roll (Mixed), Phone, CW, 8BDXCC. VUCC: 144, 432, 1296 MHz.

Member: Southeast Michigan DX Association (SEMDXA), Mad River Radio Club (MRRC), Radio Relay International, American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

I was inspired and encouraged by my uncle, (SK) Martin Anderson, W8SI, ex. W8BUA (1948-1958), WB8WDP (1976-1978), W8AF (1978). After high school, Martin was a radio operator in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) stationed at camps in northern Michigan. From what I understand, these camp stations were actually Amateur Radio stations, and Martin received his first "ham" license this way. Unfortunately I have been unable to determine his original callsign, and he may have just used the camp callsign. Based on his knowledge of Morse Code, Martin became a (CW) radio operator on a B-17 during WWII and survived over 30 missons.

I was first licensed in 1976 at age 12 as WN8BKM, which was replaced with WD8BKM. I quickly upgraded to General and Advanced while still in high school. Obtained vanity call K8BKM in 1998 and upgraded to Extra Class later that same year.

I grew up with many influential, adult, mentoring Amateur Radio operators, from local club members to fellow DX'ers and traffic handlers. Each (well most) set a great example and I believe influenced my maturing. I'd list them all if I could, but would risk leaving some out.

My interests are varied and reflect the wide range of activities available in Amateur Radio, including traffic handling, DX'ing, contesting, VHF/UHF weak signal modes (tropo, aurora, sporadic E, meteor scatter), and low-band DX'ing on 160m. 

Graduated from Michigan Technological University (W8YY) in 1985 with a degree in Computer Science. Currently employed as an IT Technical Consultant for a software company based out of Atlanta, GA, working out of my home.

Other avocations: general aviation, fitness, cycling.