First, I want to thank SM1TDE Eric Wennstrom, 4X6FB Aaron Huber, OK2PAY Lada Prajsner, 4X6GP Victor Rosenthal and SV2BBK Theofanis Mastakas for the nomination and sponsoring my membership in CWops. I consider it a great honor and acknowledgement of my love of CW.
So, I first licensed in 2019 under the SV5SKD callsign (Rhodes island IOTA EU-001) because my father in law SV2DVE threatened me that in order to be in the family I have to have a callsign. (Hi Hi).
But I was already familiar with the magical world of radio waves for almost 17 years because of my job. I am a (MOS 25C) Radio Op Sergeant first class in the Greek Artillery with 17 years of experience and still going strong. I got my callsign but I really didn’t use it because I wasn’t too interested in being active on 2m and 70cm. I wanted to be where the real action is and hunt and surf in the shortwaves.
In 2021 I was repositioned to Central Macedonia, and my prefix changed to SV2. Six km outside of Katerini city in a small village called Palaio Keramidi (old tile in English,) I made my first ham radio shack with the help of my father-in-law SV2DVE and the blessings of my XYL SV2LUX.
I borrowed an old Icom 706 MKII and I locked myself up in the basement for 2 days. XYL thought I was in a training exercise till my ammos (food and drinks) needed refill.
SSB and digital modes really didn’t give me joy after a while so I jumped into CW through PC. Oh boy that was it. I was hooked!
But I wanted to become a real CW op so after a bit of Google searching I came across the CWops page and SV2BBK Theofanis Mastakas who helped me all the way to my CW training and guidance. I applied for the CWA Beginners Course with the one and only FB op G3WZD Duncan Fisken as my teacher. I got my Certificate at the end of June 2022.
After that I applied for the Intermediate class with a great “strict” teacher and mentor WR7Q Bob Carter. Dive in immediately during the courses in CWT week contests as a CWA with a good sending and copying speed. Ending the course in February 2023.
Still trying to become better in “copying behind” and loving to ragchew with OM ops almost every day.
I really enjoy contesting with my new trusty Icom 7300 on 100w and homemade delta loop antenna on 20m 11m ABG.
As for my personal life, I’m married and I have two kids, a 6 year old daughter and a 2 year old son.
Outside of radio, my other hobbies include scuba diving Tec 40, photography, editing videos, Cuban salsa dancing, reading philosophy and love to study the Stoic Epictetus and Diogenes the Cynic.
I am honored to be part of the CWops community and I will be glad to work you soon.
May the bands be with you!
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.