Updated Dec 25, 2011 after joining the Ham Radio Nation Social Network - figured you would be looking in.

Even though my grandfather was a telegrapher on the Frisco Lines, genetics isn't everything, and I had a hard time learning the code. This was the primary impediment to my getting a license (I learned enough theory in the 1960s). I found other interests besides radio and only listened to AM-DX (do a Google search on SuperRadio II) and SW. In my own '50s, my interest in ham radio was renewed. I am now into my 7th decade of life and hope to someday actually retire in order to devote some time to this radio pursuit

I'm glad the Technician license was no-code as it gave me a kick start, but I'm also glad to have earned a Code-required General license. That will give me a modicum of OM standing, as the amateur ranks soon begin to fill up with other aurally handicapped folks.

I spent countless hours tuning an old National 100 in the ham-shack built by my uncle Harold (W9QJE) in 1939 in Joplin. That same shack and National rcvr reside on the property of my brother Adrian (K5WQ) in Inola, OK. See pictures from 1939 and also from before and after reconstruction at http://www.gilstrapfield.com/index_files/Page347.htm

I'm a chemist and an Orthodox Christian priest serving Saint James community in Owasso, Oklahoma. Still have 4 kids living at home (Orthodox Christian priest come from the married men). My youngest (21 y.o.) son Peter (KE5KXX) and I are members of the Heartland Antique Radio Association and I am a life-time member of the Broken Arrow Amateur Radio Club.

I worked at Indiana University for 20 years and am published in Geochemistry, Chemical Archaeology, and Analytical Chemistry of the Rare Rarth Elements. The latter helped me land a job in an automotive catalyst plant back home in Oklahoma when I was ordained to pastor an Orthodox Christian Mission in the Tulsa area. SInce writing this bio. I was "retired" from bankrupt Delphi Catalyst, ran the labs at the local Cement Plant for a year, and for the past 3 years have been running the Bioenergy Research Labs at Oklahoma State University.

My only station at this time is a Ten-Tec Argosy 6 feet above water level at my week-day residence at Lake Carl Blackwell near Stillwater, OK. My main station (still un-repaired) is a Ten-Tec OMNI 545 which I bought used along with a complement of accessories and a few more I picked up on e-bay. I have more Boat Anchors than modern equipment. My most prized receiver is the R-390a my brother bought me about 20 years ago. I'm on-line updating thisbio because I was checking to see if Elecraft has start selling the KX3.

I have a couple of things in the planning stages (besides a K3 or KX3) , firstly an HF net for Orthodox Christian Amateur Radio operators. OCAR is an informational group designed to promote awareness of amateur radio among Orthodox Christians, and to facilitate communication between the otherwise disconnected far-flung Orthodox hams. (See the picture of monks on Mt Athos erecting an antenna at http://www.hfnet.org )