I was born and grew up in central Iowa. I graduated from Iowa State Univ and The Univ of Iowa.  I was a U.S. Navy officer in the Vietnam war 1967-70.  I worked at ACT, Inc. ("ACT" college admissions test) in Iowa City for 26 years--first as an educational researcher then as a manager. I took early retirement in September 2003 at age 60, and am loving retirement. My wife, Judy, and I have three adult children.

I think I got my interest in radio from my dad, who taught junior high science. I recall the excitment of listening on an old wooden radio to hams running AM. I got my novice license, KN0RJV, in 1958 at age 15. At that time the "N" meant novice, and the "N" was dropped when the general class license was issued. My interest in radio in high school led to a First Class commercial license and part-time work as an engineer at an AM radio station. I got my K0KK call in 1974 from one of the first releases of select-your-own calls.  

CW rag-chewing, particularly on 40 meters,  is now my favorite ham activity.  However,  I spend a lot more time just listening to CW than QSOing.  I practice CW every day, and I can send and receive comfortably around 30-35 wpm.  I have an Elecraft  K2 and an old Clipperton L linear I rarely use.  My only antenna is a 130 foot dipole, fed with open wire line for all bands, up about 47 feet.  I have lots of test equipment and enjoy tinkering with equipment and simple building and troubleshooting projects.

Oh yes--you're wondering about the antennas in the picture. They're a small part of the antenna farm that was at the commercial HF station at Collins Radio (now Rockwell Collins) in Cedar Rapids, about 25 miles from my QTH.   Until several years ago it was among the most sophisticated and capable HF stations in the world, used for shipboard and aircraft relays.  I understand the station is still there, but substantially downsized, voice but no CW.