I started learning Morse and listening to short wave when I was about 15. Sports, school, raising 3 kids, and a career with General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin as an engineer took over and I gave it a miss for about 50 years. In 2018, a friend on our church security team, KD5JUN, invited me to a DCARA club meeting when I was between knee replacements, and while I was recuperating, I studied for and passed the test for my amateur extra license.
Soon after, I bought a 1946 Vibroplex Deluxe No. 6 in a silent auction, and got the bug so to speak. I started studying the code using phone apps. Huge mistake studying dits and dahs instead of the sounds only. Someone mentioned CW Academy as the way to go to correctly learn CW. So in 2020 I signed up for my first Basic Course with N5MM Eric as our advisor. Having barely passed that course, I let work, travel, and impending retirement take over and lapsed into not practicing again.
In 2022, while working on my second career, I signed up for a second round of basic class with Kevin NB7O, Gordon AA7TQ, and Jeremy NJ6Q as advisors, and it was off to the races. Next came a Beginner class with Chris KF7WX, and then back-to-back Intermediate, and Advanced class with Serge KK7RR. Working CWT weekly soon became more of a joy than a chore or assignment.
I am an director/officer for the Lewisville Amateur Radio Association, a mentor for and lifetime member of Denton County Amateur Association, and member of the Lake Area Amateur Radio Klub, and ARES. I volunteer for Denton County Emergency Management.
I enjoy a number of hobbies, and now have a small proto-typing, one or two off machine shop to occupy me when I am not on the key. Long range rifle and RC aircraft and grandchildren take any time left over from the former two hobbies.
My wife, Vicki and I have 6 wonderful grandchildren that we get to see quite often, and enjoy time with family. We always say God first, family, fun, and whatever follows.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.