My journey in Amateur Radio began back in 1984. A friend, who was a meteorology major, introduced me to the world of storm chasing. During one semester, a professor encouraged students to explore storm chasing, and the storm chasers communicated via amateur radio weather nets on 2 m FM. My friend suggested we both get Technician licenses, and I agreed. We embarked on a storm-chasing adventure, but unfortunately, nothing eventful happened. The following semester, his professors changed, and storm chasing fell by the wayside. Although I occasionally checked into local VHF/UHF nets, I didn’t fully utilize my license.
Fast forward to 2015, when I discovered SOTA. As someone who enjoys backpacking and hiking, the idea of carrying simple gear to a summit for radio contacts intrigued me. However, CW was the preferred mode for SOTA, and despite several attempts at self-study to learn Morse code, I lost interest whenever progress stalled.
Then I learned about the Long Island CW Club and decided to join. After a few months, I became comfortable making on-air canned QSOs, but my CW progress still faced setbacks. Just when I considered giving up, I discovered the CWops Academy. I researched the organization, took the entrance exam, and found myself in Buzz Tarlow’s Intermediate class. His approach emphasized having fun, making friends, and learning CW along the way. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the process, made many friends, and even ended the Intermediate class with a handful of successful CWT contacts.
During the break between semesters, my classmates and I continued meeting twice weekly to simulate the CWA experience. When the Advanced class began, the CWTs no longer felt as daunting. Although I encountered learning plateaus, the CWA curriculum helped to overcome them more efficiently. My progress continued, my CWT contacts multiplied, and eventually, I received a nomination for CWops membership. After reviewing my CWT logs, I reached out to four sponsors, and their overwhelmingly positive responses left me grateful and motivated.
My CW journey began with the goal of activating a summit. Unfortunately, I have not achieved that goal yet. However, the required CWT homework revealed that contesting is surprisingly enjoyable. Now, with my CWops membership, I’ve set new some new CW goals: POTAs, SOTAs, and of course, continue with CWT.
I owe immense gratitude to several individuals who supported me along this journey. Buzz AC6AC and his co-advisors from the Intermediate and Advanced classes: Heather AH7RF, Tracy WM6T, Marv W5DT, Rich N4DPM, and Shirley M0WXG, have been instrumental. Additionally, my sponsors, Rich N4DPM, Shirley M0WXG, Jim N3JT, Stan AH6KO, and Nian WU6P, deserve heartfelt thanks.
When I’m not on the radio, I enjoy golf, hiking, backpacking, and photography. Staying in touch with my classmates will be added to that list!
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.