For more derail and photos check out my QRZ page.

In 1985 I was 15 years old. I had a CB radio and talked to a few folks in the neighborhood most every night. One guy I used to talk to lived up the street, he had a stroke a few years before and needed some help around his house as he couldn't get around well. I went to give him a hand with some of the house maintenence. He was an avid shooter (and I wanted to be one). In return for helping him out he taught me Metallic Reloading and helped me get a membership into a local range. I ended up shooting Highpower Rifle and Smallbore Gallery Pistol competitively to this day. Back then I wanted to move up to Ham radio but I had neither the money, time, nor want to learn morse code (required at that time).

   In 1988 I was deciding between College or the Service. My parents prefered I went to college, my Dad particularly. Dad was Vietnam Vet (crew chief for 269th CAB "Black Barons" in Chu Chi 1967-68). He got out of the service and worked his way up through the ranks for the City Of Bristol (Connecticut) DOT. Back then you started on Garbage and worked your way up. He went from Garbage to Tree Gang (limbing trees and such), Dump Truck Driver (also did dispatch on weekends), Mechanic and when he retired was the Head Machanic for the Town of Bristol after 34 years. 

  I went off to college for Electrical Engineering in 1989 and did horribly. Turns out I'm not good at math. Then I remembered a book my Dad had found in the trash when he was working garbage. The book was "Blueprint Reading 2". That book was always fascinating to me as a kid. So, I went back for Mechanical Design in 1989 and did very well. Then I took Plastics Design in 2001 (through a work program) and did well. Always loved electronics though. 

 I suppose I got my work ethic from my dad. The sight of a cigarette ash moving through the house in pitch darkness as he got ready for work every morning and never taking a sick day, that sticks with you. We lost him on Veterans day at 11:30am on 2009 from Agent Orange.

  After graduating college in 1991, I worked and Iived the apartment life, then in 1997 at 27 years old, I bought a house in Torrington CT.  I had way too many irons in the fire to think about Ham Radio. From 1997 to 2019 I worked on my house, was in a motorcycle club for 14 years, became proficient with Gardeining, Shovelhead Repair, Photography, Brewing, Furniture Making, Cooking, Reloading Metallic and Shotshell, Bullet Casting, Firearm Refinishing and Repair, 3D Archery, Hops and Hot Pepper Growing, and Blues Harmonica. 

My skills in the arts such as Drawing, Cooking, Cleaning, Sewing, keeping a tidy house, as well as, I suppose, my inquizitive nature, attention to detail and care for others (often to my own detriment) are from my mom. Mom is still doing well and can muster a pretty good hip-throw if you mess with her.

I am very greatful for both of them .