No previous pictures exist of the shacks of the 1970's or early '80's -- the E-xyl probably burned them!

I was first licensed as a novice with the call of WN2FNL in the bicentennial year of 1976 (now there's a story in itself - my Elmer, Lee (WB2ZTZ), who happened to be an age contemporary and elementary school friend, administered my novice test at a local strip club (hey, I was 25) of some renown back in the day called Minnie's, in Camden, NJ, over a few beers and a pole dance performance or two.  You could do that back then, before the demise of the Novice license and the ARRL VEC's took over test administration - which is probably why they took over!  I upgraded to Technician class (when the novices of that era got to rid their calls of the 'N' stigma at the Federal Bldg. in Phila., which I might add, was nowhere near as much fun) with the call of WA2FNL later that year.  Then came the 13 wpm code test passage and I was General class N2BYC.  Sometime after that, I assumed the real world title of husband and father, small business owner and part-time coach, and thus began a 17 year hiatus from amateur radio.

The return to the amateur radio hobby after 17 years saw so many changes, including complete computerization capabilities, new digital modes of operation and the onset of greying hair.

A U.S. Towers TX-455 Crank-Up

My first tower installation.  Note the shamless commercial display of the aerosol grease can in the picture with label displayed in a perfectly readable position.  Feel free to order some.  It's great stuff - synthetic diester based and used in power plants to free up  switchgear mechanisms.  It's called C/GC 732 AG, and you can get it from Curtis/GlenChem Corp.  See www.curtisglenchem.com. 

For the Building Inspector . . . . And, note the change of seasons from this one to the ones above it.  No, it didn't take me from winter to spring to finish this project . . . pictures can be deceiving . . . it actually took two-and-a-half years of seasonal changes.  Why so long you ask . . .

That's Why.  9 months out of the year, I coach a competitive girls soccer team, and was the club's president until 2008, when I became the club's first Trustee and Past-President . . .

Before that there was my son's 12 year wrestling career throughout which was time better spent.

Hy-Gain 18-AVT Hy-Tower, optomized for 80m.  Contrary to what the picture suggests, this is not a crime scene (unless, or course you were seeking the XYL's opinion).  What looks like "police emergency" tape is actually the top of a volleyball net.

Pictures below are of the Tri-Ex LM-470D.  It supports the M² 40m3L, a 3 element 40m monoband yagi, and a Cushcraft 5 element 6m yagi, plus a Comet G-6, and who knows what else eventually, all rotated by a M² Orion 2800.  First contact went to WD2E in Greeneville, TN, who helped pour the concrete for the base.  Second contact, Botswana!  This tower, M2 Orion 2800 rotator and antenna seems destined to be my favorite.

AA2C (on the right) returning a favor to WD2E on his repeater tower, 60' up on top of a Tennessee mountain, 1,500' above sea level.  Like the song says, "the mountain is high and the valley is low" -- VERY LOW FROM UP THERE!  We installed a 440 MHz Stationmaster.  I must admit, I wasn't unhappy to climb down.

I try not to take amateur radio, or any hobby in which I participate, too seriously.  I do have a serious side, but that is reserved for work and coaching.  I have to admit, I have had a lot of fun with ham radio over the years and throughout all of live's changes with time and it still holds my interest, partially because of that attitude.

Hope you enjoyed the bio and photo page.