I was born in Bremerton Washington, March 25, 1940. I grew up in Seattle and graduated in the first graduating class of Shoreline High School. I had joined the Naval Reserve and the time arrived to do my two year active duty obligation.

    So, on a dark night in November 1958, I am on a train heading south to Treasure Island, California. After a month I again headed south� this time to San Diego to my first ship, the U.S.S. Westchester County, LST 1167. For the first six months I am in the deck force� this is where you become a real sailor and learn how to skillfully operate a swab and a paint brush.

U.S.S. Westchester County, LST 1167

     Some guy came by and asked me if I wanted to be a Gun Fire Control Technician (FT). I didn't know exactly what an FT did. I just knew it had to do with guns and ordnance. In any case by this time, I had enough of the deck force. I didn't take too kindly to being over the side painting so I was just happy to get out of the Deck Force.

     After the first two years, I kind of took a liking to the navy, so I decided to "ship over" for six years. My incentive was to attend the FT/A school. Thus began a 23 year career in the navy. During that 23 years I was assigned to six ships, two years at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, three years at the Moth Ball Fleet in San Diego, CA and three years as Area Supervisor of the Mark 68 Gun Fire Control System School at Great Lakes, IL.

     After 23 years of knocking my shins and head on doors and hatches, I finally had the good sense to retire. I retired as Chief Petty Officer. Did I mention that I am 6' 3" and weigh 240 lbs. So I guess the name "Big Jim" probably applies.

     After retirement from the navy, I joined a Television Security and Broadcast manufacturer as a Field Engineer. I finally got fully retired in 1993. I became restless and again went back to work. I then joined the San Diego Police Department as the administrator of the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP). I finally retired for good and left this job in 2004.

     We then moved to Lynchburg in 2006, to help our daughter raise her autistic son. Our daughter passed away Easter Sunday 2011.

    I really became interested in ham radio in high school during the 1950's. I somehow couldn't get my arms around code, so I let ham radio slide. Meanwhile, my Navy tasks became more and more technical� including radars, analog computers, and interior and exterior ordinance ballistics and I this renewed my interest in ham radio. Finally, I squatted long enough to allow me enough time to get my code up to speed. After a little study, I passed the tech test in 1975 and then upgraded to general about a year later. However, later my travel schedule did not allow for much activity and I let both my amateur and commercial licenses lapse. I finally regained my senses in 2005 and went for extra and here I am.

    I am having a lot of fun on ham radio and look forward to much, much more.


73's to All. "Big Jim" K6JGS.