KU7D - Warren

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[edit] The Making of a Ham

I'm one of the "greener" members of the group, earning my first amateur ticket, a General-class license, at the tender young age of 22. I was first exposed to amateur radio when my Dad, KC7ERC, got involved in emergency preparedness things and started running with a group of hams in my native stomping ground of Northern Utah. Though Dad only ever played around with his 2m HT, he had a few friends that were "hardcore" hams, one of whom I distinctly remember pounding out high-speed CW on his paddle while carrying on a completely different conversation over his shoulder. Talk about cool! I was hooked!

Since Dad worked a lot when I was growing up, my early attempts to get involved in ham radio failed, mostly because I lacked an effective Elmer. I eventually all but gave up on the idea of earning my license. Every now and then, I'd meet someone with an overwhelming knowledge of all things electronic and technical, only to find out later on that they were a ham. There was a definite pattern I noted there, and I wanted, once again, to get involved and make it happen.

What really got the ball going for me again was an e-mail my Dad sent to me in January 2007, asking if I wanted his old HT. Turns out Dad had been inactive with amateur radio for some time and the HT hadn't been out of the box in years. He was going through some of his old stuff and stumbled across it and decided to pass it on. Boy, am I glad he did, too! The moment I got it, I started hitting the books and finding anything I could about amateur radio. It was at this point I became involved with the Casper Amateur Radio Club. Several months later, and with plenty of work and unending patience on the part of the guys in the club, I finally realized the dream and finished the journey I had started so many years ago: I went from no license to General at Wyoming HamFest 2007, earning my first call "KE7NPF." The rest, as they say, is history. Upon learning of my enthusiasm for amateur radio, Dad has since purchased another HT and is somewhat active with things again, even talking about a possible license upgrade and the purchase of an all-band, all-mode transceiver. Ya gotta love it when stuff comes full circle!

[edit] So Now What?

My current station is a Kenwood TS-2000 running into a High Sierra "Frontier" antenna setup. As a bona-fide, certified (and certifiable) appliance operator, I enjoy all aspects of amateur radio, including HF Phone, Digital and CW, as well as spending a considerable amount of time monitoring the local repeaters.

I got married to my better half, Tiffany, in June 2008 and she earned her tech ticket not long after. She has since gone vanity to call W7TIF. We've been enjoying married life, such as it is, and have added a couple of furry ones to our family; an Airedale Terrier named "Roxy" and my dog, a very-tenacious Golden Retriever named "Renegade."

As far as employment goes, I've dabbled in everything from food service to health care, with a couple of major stops in the IT and radio broadcast industries. I'm currently employed as the Southeast Wyoming Market Manager for a national Outdoor Advertising Company. This requires me to travel somewhat regularly, and it's given me the opportunity to talk with numerous hams all over the state.

After lots of study and hard work, I passed my Amateur Extra-class exam on December 16, 2008 at the same time my wife was passing her Technician test. I went vanity a short time later, assuming call sign "KU7D." I figured that since I've done the work and studying to earn Amateur Extra, I might as well have the short call sign to go with it! My understanding is that the former holder of this call left quite a reputation for me to live up to.

I have had so much fun learning about amateur radio and meeting new people that I'm very excited to share this with others. I'm also pleased that my wife has finally agreed to succumb to the "geekiness" that pervades her life and come play radio. To be perfectly honest, the additional operating privileges that are now afforded me as an Extra-class amateur don't particularly interest me (although it will be nice to not have to stare down a band plan!); I earned it simply to be able to administer the higher VE exams. I'll certainly not profess to be an expert, or even well-versed on most of amateur radio operating, but I'm having fun learning more every day, and isn't that what all of this is really about?

I owe a lot to all of the "Elmers" that I had when I was first getting started, and all those that have patiently answered my seemingly endless cacophony of questions. The members of this club are an amazing bunch that are so anxious to help someone out. I hope that as I progress in this hobby, that I can continue to "give back" and keep the chain going. This hobby is far too precious to simply let die.

I now serve as the club secretary, as well as being the PIO and VE Team Leader/Liaison. It's a lot of work to be sure, but I've been enjoying it. Those three roles work very well together, as PR has to be a part of everything you do (in my book, anyway). But folks are starting to take notice on their own; every now and then, I'll get a call from a newspaper or a visit from a TV reporter. It's fun to be able to share with everyone the things that we enjoy so much.

Aside from working, playing house with my lovely wife and playing radio, I enjoy target shooting, big game hunting and almost any outdoor activity, working on my "pride and joy" '85 Jeep CJ-7, listening to music, roughing up the dogs (and sometimes even the XYL!), reading a good book or settling down in front of a good movie.

If you would like to contact me for any reason, e-mail me at: <my call> (a) arrl (dot) net. You can also connect with me on Facebook! Cheers, and 73... I'll see you on the bands!