Created in 1971. I've had an interest in radio from age 11, started with my first CB (Midland base). Around age 17 I became very interested in scanner listening. At age 22 I was exposed to 2 meters and very soon after I took the novice and tech test. At age 23 became very interested in SWL (Shortwave Listening). In 1994 I became one of the first in my state to start running the APRS software full time which started a love for packet. In 2001 I became a US Air Force MARS operator. Then in 2007 I passed the general for the second time in 3 years but the first time I did not test for the Morse code requirement. In 2009 I moved into an apartment and had to be off the air for a couple of years. Now I have worked it out that I can have 20m and 40m from the apartment plus 2m and 70cm.

Being disabled from the Navy I use the radio as a means to keep busy and keep my mind active. I find it very therapeutic and it keeps me out of trouble.

Changed callsign from W4JRD to K4RIT on May 26, 2012

I'm a trained SKYWARN Weather Spotter in Burke County, NC.

To contact me via APRS (144.390Mhz), please send your msgs to K4RIT.

I created in 2001 and still maintain 6 Meter Sked, a 6 Meter DX group on Yahoo! Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/6meter/).

My Station Here is:

Ten-Tec Pegasus (Software Defined Rig)

Pegasus control software: N4PY Pegasus Plus

Kenwood TM-D700a

Quansheng TG-UV2 (Dual Band HT)

Icom IC-V8 (2m HT)

Feidaxin FDC FD-460A (70cm HT)

Heil Gold Elite Microphone

Ten-Tec Model 708 Desk Microphone

Heil Pro Set Headset

20m & 40m HamStick dipole co-phased in a horizontal configuration at 20ft

Diamond SG7500 on a ground plane as a base antenna for 2m and 70cm

MFJ-945E Antenna Tuner

BUX Comm Rascal Sound card Interface

(Special tnx goes out to Beth and Scott - W4CLT for helping me to get the equipment to get back on the air.)

I have also created and run a weather web site for Burke County, NC at http://webpages.charter.net/jamierdean. On my weather page, you can get local weather forecasts and current conditions. Also, you can listen to Burke County's Fire, Sheriff, Police, EMS, Rescue, and SHP, transmissions both in analog and digital VIPER (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders).

Hobbies: Amateur Radio, SWL, Weather, Digital Photography, Computers, Scanner Listening, Maxi Scooter Riding (400cc or larger)

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Click here to listen to K4RIT's Scanner

The picture above is of my radio set-up and weather station / data server.