I live in Hampstead, MD with my wife, Jenny, and our three cats (Tucker, Loofie and Lucky). We moved my mother in with us after my father passed in 2020.
A little about myself. After my stint in the Army as a combat engineer where I ran around in the woods blowing stuff up, I became a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Prince George’s County, MD at the Laurel Rescue Squad. Since then, I have amassed a large amount of emergency training including rope rescue, dive rescue, hazmat, and confined space. I received my degree in Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic in 2001 and have worked at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and Children’s National Medical Center. I am currently a Firefighter/Paramedic at BWI Fire Department.
Ham radio is something I have been interested in since I was a child, having seen all my grandfather’s radio equipment. I did not have the room or resources to pursue it until now. I also wanted an alternate form of communication for emergencies. I was first licensed as a ham radio operator in 2021 and upgraded to General in 2022. I recently upgraded to Amateur Extra in February 2023. CW peaked my interest as I knew it would be a great new skill to learn and a challenge to perfect. It was also another way to enjoy this hobby.
My other interests in ham radio include contesting with North East Maryland Amateur Radio Contesting society (NEMARC), POTA as both a hunter and activator, DXing and digital modes. I am a member of The Carroll County Amateur Radio Club, The Anne Arundel Radio Club, OMISS and now CWops.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.