I live in Odessa, Texas, about halfway between El Paso and Fort Worth on I-20. I have lived in Odessa for 48 years and worked in the Oil Industry since 1973. I have a son in Portland, Oregon (US Navy retired), and two daughters, both of Odessa, 4 grandsons, and 2 granddaughters. Oldest grandson is with the Odessa Fire Dept. My wife, Tamera and I have been married for 20 years. I retired from an independent oil company, Endeavor Energy Resources, in the gas measurement dept. in April 2021.
In 1980 I went to work for Kerr McGee Corp. Oil & Gas Div. where I met Joe Melton KB5MM. Listening to Joe, I became very interested in ham radio, so in the fall of 1982, I attended Novice classes that were under the direction of Joe, a couple of other Hams, and “Tune In The World With Ham Radio”. Joe was an excellent Elmer. I passed the Novice exam and 5 wpm, and got my license KA5PVS in January 1983. I had already bought a MFJ-422-X keyer and Bencher BY-1 paddles combination set, and had been practicing sending CW when I got my first radio, a Kenwood TS-530S. I built some half wave inverted vees and don’t remember when my first contact was, but it was on 40 meters with a Louisiana station. How thrilling! As I made more and more contacts, I set my sights on WAS with a CW endorsement which I got in 1986. I got first place in North Texas in the 1984 Novice Roundup. I upgraded to General in 1986 and changed my call to N5JAU. In 1990 I upgraded to Advanced and got KI5ER. In 1995 I upgraded to Extra (w/20 wpm), but kept KI5ER (didn’t want a 2×2 “A” call). In 1996 I had my Vanity Application filled out, (with only 3 choices) waiting for the day to mail it in. In November I got my new license in the mail box with N5MI on it!
I have dabbled in SSTV, Feld Hell, and a few other digital modes including one RTTY DX QSO with VP6D Ducie Island in 2018. After being away from ham radio for 15 years (2000 – 2015), I bought a new Yaesu FTDX-1200 and became interested in FT8, which was very addicting to me and received WAS FT8 and FT4, and later DXCC Digital. I am presently at 254 Mixed, 217 Digital, 133 CW, and 38 SSB.
In 2008 I took some instructions from a friend who is a member of the “Knife Makers Guild”. Since then I have made 140 fixed blade knives. In my photo I am holding a 12 inch “Bowie” knife that I made. The handle is “Hippo” ivory given to me from another local ham.
Many thanks to Hank W6SX for his nomination, and to the 12 others who sponsored me.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.