I was first licensed in Feb 1960 as WV2RBF then upgraded to General in Oct to WA2RBF. I changed to WA8WWM in 1967 when I moved from Syracuse NY to Detroit MI to run the first Radio Shack there. In 1973 I joined the USAF and received KZ5WA at my first duty station in the (then) Panama Canal Zone.

In 1974 I moved to Empire MI where I later upgraded to Extra and received the call K8TE. I was president of the Cherryland Amateur Radio Club in Traverse City. In 1978 I moved to Cannon AFB at Clovis NM .

While there, a number of non-local hams formed the New Mexicans Engaged in Radio Discussions (NERDs), an ARRL-affiliated club. We each had specific NERD numbers and matching blue shirts with our calls and numbers. The NERDs continue today, although only four of us are in NM. You will find our web site at: http://techshareservices.net/nerds/ for the latest happenings.

The NERDs are famous for technical achievements like the first repeater in Eastern NM with a range beyond 15 miles, installed a TV station where I worked as an engineer. In 1980, W5VBO (now K7RE), NERD 10, and I competed in the ARRL Field Day in the 1B battery class. We took first place in the U.S. and Canada and earned the statement: “NERDs are number 1!” We celebrated the 20th anniversary commemorative event during Field Day 2000 operating from KU5S SK (NERD 5) in Wilsey TX. Jim was well-known as the author of numerous ham radio programs such as WinCAP, a propagation predictor.

I was assigned to Memmingen AB Germany for two years in 1989.  I operated as DA2OI there.  Following that I went to RAF Alconbury for two more years with six months in Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm.  I returned to the U.S. at Kirtland AFB where I planned to retire.  Two years later I was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB working at HQ AFMC for almost six more years.

I retired from the Air Force after 26 years and live in Rio Rancho NM where I'll finally have some room for antennas. I do PC and network consulting as: K8 Technology Enterprises. I also worked as a part-time engineer for Cumulus Media (formerly Citadel Broadcasting) in Albuquerque for 8+ years and still volunteer with various charitable organizations; writing a monthly stewardship column for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe newspaper People of God and do speaking engagements. You can find me on 146.58/224.58/224.94/444.150 most of the time along with other NERDs and DORKs (Dominators of Radio Knowledge). The NERDs still meet on 7235 occasional mornings.

I am the former newsletter editor for the Albuquerque DX Association (Que Pasa DX) and am currently its president. Check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adxa/. This is fun group of folks who enjoy chasing DX and operating contests along with their other various hobbies. We took 12^th overall and 2nd in class in the ARRL Field Day for 2011. We'll go for first in class, not overall, next year! Who can compete with the PVRC in FD?

Google the New Mexico QSO Party for April 2012. I will operate from Roy NM, in Harding County, again. There are no hams in the FCC database there so look for K8TE-1 on APRS and I will keep my operating frequency posted.  I hope to work you!

My avocational passion during my "semi-retirement" is racing sports cars. I drive a Mazda "Spec" Miata with the SCCA, Southwest Motorsport, NASA, and ProAutosports at NM, CO, AZ, and CA tracks. You'll often hear me on 7195 traveling to and from one of them; check K8TE-1 on APRS for my operating frequency. While there, I keep in touch with my crew chief (and wife) Judy, KD5NEX, on 146.58 or 446.58.

I will soon update many contest logs on LOTW. I will also have paper QSLs printed and answer eQSLs. Please be patient!

73, Bill, K8TE, NERD 1