I was originally licensed in 1983 as KA9PGD. I held a Novice ticket until December of 1984 when I upgraded to General Class under the relatively new VE Program. On December 19, 1987, I passed the Advanced Class test, and on January 23, 1988, I passed the Extra Class written and 20 wpm code test. I was issued the call NY9B. On October 28, 1997 I was issued the vanity callsign of N9RG. On April 30, 2010, I was granted the vanity call KW4G by the FCC. I have lived in Florida for almost 5 years and finally got a '4' call!

I worked for Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 30+ years performing maintenance on boilers, air compressors, steam turbines, all sorts of pumps and sundry other equipment. I retired on February 28, 2002. I worked for Kabelin Hardware Company in Michigan City, Indiana where I was the head of the Plumbing Department for about one year. This was my retirement job. Unfortunately, I lost a good portion of my retirement benefits after Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt. In May 2003 I began to work for the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. I was a Correctional Officer for 4 months, which was about twice as long as it took me to figure out that I wasn't cut out for that kind of work. In September I was able to transfer to the maintenance department.

In June 2005, I fulfilled a long-time dream and moved from Indiana to Florida. I continue to work in the maintenance field for the State of Florida at the Collier Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Naples. My wife and I were very tired of the northwest Indiana winters, plus we are much closer to our 3 kids and 8 grandkids who all live in south Florida.

In December 2011 I once again changed jobs. I now work for the Collier County Public School District as a Facility Manager at the Administration Center. Hopefully, this will be my last employment update.

I have tried a lot of different aspects of ham radio. I had one of the first permanent packet radio stations in Michigan City. I was a member and NCS for the Indiana Slow Speed CW Traffic Net, ICN. Although never really a DX'er, I have worked about 150 countries in casual operation. I enjoyed VHF/UHF weak-signal work for a while, qualifying for VUCC on 6 meters. I have about 72 grids confirmed on 2 meters from Indiana. I have worked RTTY, AMTOR and PACTOR on HF. I'm not currently very active on HF, but you will probably find me on PSK31 or JT65HF, if I decide to get on the bands. VHF/UHF weak-signal is out of the question currently, as I am limited on antennas where I live. I recently purchased a DVDongle and have been monitoring D-Star activity. I haven't been on the air with it much, but probably will be soon.

Equipment consists of a Kenwood TS-2000 with built-in auto tuner, Ameritron ALS-600 amp, LDG AT-1000Pro auto-tuner, a Cushcraft R-6000 vertical for 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters, and a microHAM Digi Keyer II interface for digital modes. I also have a Kenwood TS480SAT radio, microHAM USB III interface, and an assortment of mobile whip antennas for portable use when I am camping. I recently purchased a Kenwood TH-D72 handheld radio. This is an amazing piece of technology. It includes a built-in TNC for packet or APRS, and a GPS unit. I am looking forward to getting more familiar with this rig. I have an Icom ID-880H mobile, which gives me D-STAR capability, a Kenwood TM-281 mobile, and an oldie but goodie Icom IC-2100H mobile.

My equipment list has changed in the last year. I have gone from an almost total Kenwood shack to a total Icom shack. There is no particular reason for this . . . it just happened. I have the Icom ID-880H mobile in the shack. I have an Icom ID-5100A mobile in my truck. I have an Icom IC-51A+ HT. I just purchased the newest Icom radio, an IC-7300 HF + 6M. I got rid of the ALS-600 amp and LDG tuner. Things are much more condensed now. I also use the microHAM MicroKeyer II for an interface for digital HF.