Thank you to my sponsors W0UO, N3JT, AA3B and W6SX for inviting me to CWops. I am really looking forward to participating and contributing towards the promotion and preservation of our beloved CW.
I was raised on a farm in rural Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in Southern Africa. We had no TV then and I was fascinated by radio from a very early age, spending countless hours listening to shortwave and trying to resolve CW with a homebrew BFO. CW has been a part of my life forever.
I have held the following calls over the years: Z21BK, G4ZYK, KG4CRU, ZS6RSH, N4HAY and I operate 90% CW, enjoying rag chewing, contesting, and DX, using paddles, straight key, bug, keyboard, and software.
For many years I have operated QRP but recently acquired a bigger rig and have been enjoying some contest work including CWTs. My typical small urban backyard allows me to deploy a trap inverted vee for the low HF bands and a fan dipole for the higher HF bands. I am just amazed at how much enjoyment there is with such a humble antenna farm.
Club memberships include SKCC, GQRP, NAQCC, BUG, ARCI and KNIGHTLITESS.
In addition to CW, I enjoy homebrewing, simple QRP rigs including a SDR and old rig restoration. I keep a Heathkit DX60 and Drake 2B operational.
Now retired after a career in international telecommunications, my lovely wife and I and our little dog live in the Raleigh NC area. We have two wonderful kids who are both married.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.