Jonathan S. Hamnett aka “Stan” hence my Vanity Call KS7TAN

I just recently changed my call sign from my original Call of KE7VKQ issued in August 2008 to KS7TAN – vanity call issued May 5, 2009.

I have wanted to be a Ham since childhood when I went to my pastor’s house where he had one of the original “Ham Shacks” in his backyard circa 1950’s. I was so impressed, curious and intrigued. Well I attempted Morse code in the 80’s and got frustrated. Well here it is 2008/9 and I have a vanity call, who would have thought.

Since I received my license I decided that I wanted to help new hams since I had to really work at getting help. During my class N3SRU and N7BXX were the only ones who reached out. I decided to put a website together http://newham.,us aka http://ks7tan.com to work at making sure all Hams, at least within the state of Arizona can get some help. I love Ham Radio.

I have a lovely xyl Vickie and two grown children, one here in Tucson, and one in San Jose.

A little history:

I am retired from the Air Force Jan 67-Aug 91. Worked as an Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief/Flight Engineer for 12 + years, I am a Vietnam Vet was assigned to Pleiku AB, Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiku_AB in Vietnam August 1967 to August 1968. Worked on the Spooky Bird aka “Puff the Magic Dragon” officially called the AC-47 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC-47_Spooky . Loved doing this also. I was the first recipient of the Purple Heart in my unit 4^thSpecial Operations Squadron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Special_Operations_Squadron, had various assignments as an Aircraft Mechanic/Crew Chief over the next 12 1/2 years. Scott AFB, Ill.; Andersen AFB, Guam; Bergstron AFB, TX; Scott AFB, Udon RTAFB, Thailand; Barksdale AFB, LA., and then retrained to become a Substance Abuse Counselor for another 12+ years at Barksdale AFB, LA - originally, then on to Misawa AB, Japan; and finally here at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ to retire. Since retirement, I have found my niche, Men’s Program Director at the Gospel Rescue Mission http://grmtucson.com in Tucson, AZ. We have a long-term recovery program for the homeless and help numerous men on a daily basis find jobs and help them get back on their feet.

Ham Radio:

My Equipment is a iCom 2820H – Dstar, iCom 92AD – Dstar, Yaesu FT-60R HT, and VX-170 HT. Yes I love Ham radio.

I am active in Pima County RACES, manage the http://pcraces.org website.

I would appreciate your help with the http://newham.us site. I will take any suggestions you may have on how to improve it.