I would like to thank Serge NS6W for nominating me, and also my former advisors John AC4CA and Quinton NU7Y.
I’m a relative newcomer to the world of ham radio and CW. I was first licensed in June of 2018 as KI7YWE, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with amateur radio. I would never have imagined I’d be learning CW. One of the members of my local club told me to register for the fall CW Academy. I ended up completing both levels one and two in back to back sessions. My first real operating experience was a SOTA summit with NU7Y helping me work my first pile up.
I struggled breaking through the 20 WPM level, so I signed up for the Advanced level class. I’ve found having to attend class twice a week really helps you commit to practicing.
I enjoy tinkering in my garage/shack and CW has opened a whole new area. I have a collection of various paddles, bugs, and keys. I’ve 3D printed quite a few, and I’m currently learning how to use a single lever paddle which started life as a sideswiper.
My current shack is an IC-7300, Xiegu G90, and a KX2 for SOTA work. My keys are a Magnakeyer, Brown Bros combo straight key and paddle, Vibroplex bug, a smattering of cheaper straight keys, and 3D printed paddles. My current antenna is a 40m-20m fan dipole; its height is limited by my HOA. In the future I would like to do more contesting, but my work schedule has me working weekends.
Thanks again for allowing me to join.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.