I first became a HAM in 1961 while I was stationed at Yakota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan. I returned to the states in 1963 to Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, Louisiana. My license expired but I did't have the money to buy radio equipment. I went for many years without using radio's. I retired from the Air Force in 1974. A Friend got me intrested in CB Radio so I got a CB license (KHP2987) and a 24 channel Single Sideband.
In 1991 I heard that there was going to be classes held for Amateur Course at Tyler Junior College. Upon taking the test I was the only one in a class of 17 people that passed , but I already knew CW (morse Code) which was required to get a HAM license, I received my Novice licensd and upgraded to General months later. General got me everything I wanted to get on the air again.
In1992 I joined the Air Force MARS program in Region 4 which included Texas. I was in MARS for about 7 years when was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer so I panicked and sold all my radio equipment. Wouldn't you know it, I was cured of cancer and I had no radios, and definately did not have enough money to buy more. So I slowly began to acquire used equipment. Soon I was equipment rich. I went back to MARS on January 1,2005. I was then asked to take over Region 4 webmaster and I received the MARS call of AFF4I. I resigned from the Air Force MARS program due to A bad stroke. I also retired from all radio operations.