Growing up with a father who was a lifelong active ham (and a grandfather I never knew who operated in the spark-gap days), I learned Morse code and became a ham under his tutelage. My first callsign in 1958 was KN0SDX. Although life intervened and I let the Novice license lapse, I never lost my interest in electronics and radio technology, and I worked in numerous tech jobs over the years.
Finally, I went for the 13 wpm Advanced code test, and was re-licensed in 1981 as KD7MT, while operating my own radio-TV repair shop in Tetonia, Idaho. My primary activity was keeping a daily SSB sked on 40m and 20m with my Dad, W0QIH (SK).
My main interests had always taken more of an adventurous tilt, and I spent most of my career as a mountaineering guide, river guide, motorcycle adventurer, bicycle racer, part-time musician, etc. Along the way, I worked as a newspaper reporter for several papers and editor of the Driggs, Idaho Teton Valley News, engineering tech for the USDA Soil Conservation Service, electronics tech for Dresser-Atlas wireline services, Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Symphony, electrician, roofer, and a few odd jobs besides.
After retiring and putting a station together in the basement of my music studio, I again took a few stabs at CW, finally signing up for Buzz’s AC6AC’s intermediate and advanced CWA classes, which I just completed. Thanks to Buzz and his co-advisors Heather AH7RF, Marv W5DT, Tracy WM6T, Rich W4DPM, and Shirley M0WXG, and the many hours of teaching, advice, and fun they gave us, I stuck with it and finally have a good start on my CW journey. I have made many good friends along the way.
Thanks also to my sponsors Rob K6RB, John N0TA, and Kirk K4RO, and the many other CWops members I have had the pleasure of contacting on the air, I am proud to be a member of this great club.
Aside from ham radio, my other interests are playing classical piano, hiking with my wonderful wife Karen, riding my Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, shooting pistols, bullet casting and reloading, and generally wrenching on things in my shop.
I live with my wife Karen in lovely Idaho Falls, Idaho, the gateway to Yellowstone and the Tetons, and serve on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.