Walter M. Wenzel's (KA2RGI) Webpage

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This Part of the Webpage is dedicated to my family.   

It is because of their support I have been able to do what I have.

Carol Jean Steinbrecher & Walter Michael Wenzel
Wedding Photo
Sept. 8, 1979
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Carol & Walter
KA2VYH & KA2RGI
Photo circa 1982
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Harmonics
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Candice Ann Wenzel
N2QES
10/12/82
Photo circa 1998

David John Wenzel
KC2GWO
05/14/89
Photo circa 1999



Bethany Therese Wenzel
10/23/91
Photo circa 1999

Paul Wenzel's Family (The NJ Clan)
Debbie, Paul, John, Bill, Brian, Laurie (The Kids, Some Kids Nobody Every Said The Wenzel Clan Was Small)
Joan, Paul (Mom & Pop)
Paul is my half brother Pictures were taken 5/5/01.
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Life Bio

My Life as an Amateur Radio Operator -

I first learned about Amateur Radio when I was a freshman in High School in Babylon, LI, NY.   I was already involved with CB Radio and some interest in Commercial Radio and electronics.  I attempted to get my amateur radio license then, but by the time I was eligible to be part of the school sponsored club (Juniors & Seniors only),  the instructor in charge retired. 

It would take me about five years after graduating before I would have the opportunity to attempt to get a ham license again. This time I started to study with the Wantagh Radio Club and got to about three weeks in the classes when a job change caused me to drop out of the classes.  I then lost contact with the group and no way of progressing.

About another five years go by and in February of 1982 I can along a copy of the 1977 ARRL Handbook in the machinists room in the company I was now working for.  When I inquired about who owned the book I was told it belonged to Ken.  I asked how I could get in contact with him and I was informed that he was part of the recent layoff and that he would be back in to pick up his last pay check the following Friday.  I then went to Human Resources and left a message for Ken to stop by the Tool Crib where I was working.  When he stopped I asked him if he was a "Ham" and he said he was.  I then asked him if he knew of any radio club and he told be about the Great South Bay ARC.   He said he had bad news for me,  first the club had just finished giving a novice class and was not planning on giving another until at least the following fall, and second the club had just had their monthly meeting the night before.  I asked him for more info and said I would meet him the next month (March).  This started a year of almosts and maybes as I quickly learned about Amateur Radio with a very active "hands on approach".

As I had said I attended my first GSBARC Meeting in March and that meeting was cancelled because of bad weather and poor attendance but I did meet with the club treasurer and become part of club.  At the next meeting I learned that the next set of possible classes would not begin until September so I had at least six months to wait.  I again felt the odds were against me for getting my license, but this time I was determined to get my license and continued.  

During this first year I not only learned about Amateur Radio, but became an active part of the operations in it.  Because I asked "What is a Field Day?" at the May meeting, I was told the way to understand it, was to part of it, so I was  selected to be A Field Day Chairman.  As things turned out I became THE Field Day Coordinator (please remember I still have not gone to any classes nor had I passed my license, yet.)  Well we all had a ball at Field Day.  That September I finally became part of the novice class and yes I finally did get to complete the course for my license and passed my Novice test in December of 1982,  thanks to Ken Steenbuck, WA2SUB and John Mc Eachen, KA2HHO.

I received my Novice License KA2RGI in February.   In August I went to the FCC Office on Varick Street in NYC with George Skadl and we both passed our Technician Exams.  I kept my Novice call and George upgraded his to N2EOB.  Today I hold an Amateur Extra Class License and have kept my original call.  I have been teaching classes for all of the Amateur Radio Licenses since January '83 and have had the pleasure of seeing many new faces come into the Amateur Radio Service. 

I have also had the opportunity to be involved with the ARRL Field Organization in various field positions including Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator, Affiliated Club Coordinator, and Official Observer, to mention a few. I am a past president of the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club and the Suffolk County Radio Club. I was a founding member and vice-president of the Packeteers of Long Island, also served a term as a regional Vice-President and Secretary for TSARC.  

Today I am the R.A.C.E.S. Radio Officer and the A.R.E.S. Emergency Coordinator for the Town of Babylon, in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. I am also still active in a few other positions within the ARRL but have down sized my commitment in recent years.

Today I am pleased to say that not only am I a licensed Amateur Radio Operator but so is most of family.  My wife Carol is KA2VYH, son Michael is N2QXK, daughter Candice is N2QES, and my other son David just got his license and he is KC2GWO.  That leaves just my other daughter Bethany who is 9 and is working on her license.  So we are a "Ham" family.

If you would like more information about the Town of Babylon Amateur Radio Emergency Services or Amateur Radio in general please visit the TOBARES.ORG Website or email me at [email protected].



Thank you,

Walter Wenzel, KA2RGI