Well, I'm glad to see you like Ham Radio too. I earned my Amateur Extra class license in the Fall of '96. I was first licensed in December of '94 as a Technician, so I'm living proof that Techs can and do upgrade. I do have to admit that I personally have never had a use for the "shack on a belt" type of operating that the majority of Techs seem to love. But then, if they want a voice, let them make their own web site.

My love of ham radio comes from the desire to contact foreign lands. I also enjoy contesting. There aren't many things more enjoyable than spending a weekend running a 160 meter cw contest. My best contest experience, thus far, was being part of winning the multi-op CQ 160 CW for the state of Iowa in 1996. We used a friend's call, KE0FT, which I must say makes me more than a little jealous.

In the picture to the right, Bob Ward, K0SVZ, and I take a break from one of my many Morse Code lessons. I'm the one on the right. Like you didn't know! Bob was my "Elmer" for a time. In amateur radio, an Elmer is one who mentors new ham radio operators. I was his 101st pupil. I'm not sure how many came after me, but each one was extremely lucky to have such a good man as a tutor.