"Bill" KJ4W has been licensed since 1965, the summer after high school. Fascination with radio led to study of physics and electronics; he earned B.A. and M.S. degrees in physics from Murray State University (KY). Following graduation, Bill remained at Murray State as an electronics technician then engineer, and finally taught Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology. He retired from MSU in 2002 after 33 years on staff. In retirement, he enjoys doing commercial radio tower climbing--less stressful work, he says. He also has a small business repairing radios and industrial electronic devices. In September 2007 he came somewhat out of retirement to accept a part-time position as Emergency Management Director for Calloway County.  His official vehicle in that capacity, a retired Crown Vic police car, now sports 6 antennas, and can operate HF mobile, 2m, 70cm, APRS, and public safety frequencies. 

Wife Brenda is WA4IJU (married in 1968, and she became a ham soon after); son Jeff is N4QHO and daughter Beth is KC4YSY, but dad is the only real radio fanatic. He enjoys tinkering more than talking, and has built and maintains the club repeaters and station for the MSU Amateur Radio Club, K4MSU and W4GZ. He also serves as FCC Trustee for the club, and was its faculty advisor. The first W4GZ, by the way, was Bill's "Elmer" way back when Bill was just getting started. Bill, in turn, has taught license classes helping hundreds of folks become hams, beginning in 1966. He was also an early volunteer examiner (and still is), and serves as western KY ARRL ASM; formerly EC and TA. He's a member of Army MARS. And yes, the desk is always this cluttered--and you should see the workshop! 73 to all!