I have been interested in Ham Radio since forever it seems, but never had the time. April (2018) a friend told me that he was involved in teaching a Technician class. I jumped at the chance to take the class. At the end of the day I had passed and was on my way. In December 2018, I passed the General test, just missing the Extra. Then in January 2019, I passed the Extra, and then worked and received a VE certificate. My brother went to local radio clubs and events with me, then October (2019) he got his license K9JIM. I have an extra license, has not stopped me from learning. I have several radios in my house a IC-718 with a OFD antenna up about 42 feet high, and a Yaesu FTM-300 with its antenna at up around 42ft and a FRM-300 in my truck and a FT-70D. Also, I have a winlink gateway, with antenna up around 48 ft.
Member of the following clubs located in Southern Illinois: L.E.A.R.S (club President./ PIO), Rend Lake College Radio Club (Vice President / PIO), SCAN, SARA, MARA, ARRL EC Franklin County, Il and a ARRL memeber.
