I obtained my amateur radio license for one reason and one reason only: CW. Morse code has always intrigued me, feeling like a form of secret communication that few are capable of decoding. Determined to join this mythical group of operators—sending and receiving messages across oceans that only a handful of people can copy—I began learning CW as soon as I scheduled my licensing exam.
Three months after getting my license in May of 2023 (and endless practice), I made my first CW QSO at 20 wpm. 35 QSO’s later on the 23rd of August 2023 I caught OM JIM (N3JT) on 12 m, where he encouraged me to work towards joining CWops. Fast forward just over a year, daily practice, and 1439 CW QSO’s later, I was comfortably having ragchews at 27 wpm. After having another lovely QSO with OM Joel (F5VV), he was kind enough to nominate me for the honorable membership OM Jim (N3JT) urged me to chase just over a year ago.
Born in 1985, I’ve had several occupations, most memorable having my commercial pilot’s license and being an instructor pilot. I have however come to my senses and thus received my degree in Theology, currently serving as an Afrikaans Reformed Baptist minister in the small town of Secunda, South Africa.
Many thanks to OM Jim (N3JT) for the encouragement to pursue membership, OM Joel (F5VV) for his nomination, my sponsors, as well as all the members for having me join this prestigious club.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.