I was originally licensed in June 1980 as KA5JHD. I received my novice ticket after taking a novice class sponsored by the El Paso, Texas Amateur Radio Club. My wife, Renee, KA5JHC, took the class with me and also received her novice ticket at the same time. We had been married only about 2 months when we began the class. The class ran from October 1979 to May 1980 and originally had about 20 students.  By the end, in May 1980, there were only 3 of us--my wife and I were 2 of the 3--to take the exam.

I upgraded to General Class in June 1983 and upgraded to Advanced Class in October 1983. My dad and I sat together for the Advanced exam in El Paso. Both of us made the grade and both of us asked for a new 2X2 call sign. My dad is now KE5HM. (KE5HM now silent key as of 7/26/2007.)

My father-in-law, Lee, is also a licensed ham operator, Extra Class, and has the call sign KA8TGX. He was a radioman on the USS Natoma Bay aircraft carrier during WWII.  He was in the radio room in some of the hottest battles in the Pacific War.  He was at Leyte Gulf, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

As you can see, ham radio runs in our family.

I can be found mostly on the CW portions of the HF bands. I operate mostly on 20 MTRS, 40 MTRS, and 80 MTRS but occasionally have a QSO on the other HF bands and on other modes.

I hope to hear from YOU on CW (or other mode, occasionally), soon!!!

73