Becoming involved in amateur radio was a surprise to me. When I retired I looked around for a volunteer activity and subsequently joined the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Emergency Team. After a couple of years a colleague suggested we get our Technician license. I thought, “why not?”
Since then it has been a two-year journey of buying equipment and becoming familiar with the technology. I have an ICOM-7100 and a Kenwood D710 in my go-kit. Recently my Elmer, Dana K6BRR, helped me install a 40M Inverted-V antenna. Future projects include working with digital modes using VARA FM and HF. I also co-host a weekly simplex net to encourage amateur radio operators to get on the air and to do propagation testing within the neighborhood.
I am retired from the Boeing Company where I spent half my career in Washington, DC and half in Seattle. I have always enjoyed working on large programs so Boeing was a good match. I worked on Department of Defense contracts and a 10-year program to re-engineer the Commercial Airplanes business processes.
I share my passion for amateur radio with a passion for travel. Some of my more interesting travel adventures have included going through Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin in the 60s, working in Venezuela, hiking in Lapland, and studying French in Provence. I also spend time gardening, quilting, and practicing yoga and Tai Chi.
It has been a great journey into amateur radio so far – thanks to the members of the MCARES and Portland NET ARO communities who have been so generous with their time and expertise.