have been an Amateur Radio Operator now for the past 13 years. I am 47 years old and am the father of twin sons who have graduated from Evarts High School in Evarts, Kentucky in 1999. It was at that school in the late 70's where I met my wife Jamie . We have now been married for 29 years.

Let me tell you a little about myself and my family members. I was born and raised in Warren, Michigan and moved to Harlan County Kentucky when I was 14 years old. My parents who are deceased now, parented 3 children. The first born was my brother Raymond. He and his wife Sally live in California. The next born was my sister Frances who resides near San-Antonio, TX. I'd like to take this time to say unto them, how much I miss and love them. In 1981, our father, Clyde Brooks Pendergrass died of a heart attack in my arms. It was his third attack in his short time on this earth of 52 years. Our mother, Daisy Jackson Pendergrass, also died of a heart attack in 1984, two days after her 47 birthday.

I loved them both so much as they were in my life for so long. I married in the summer of 1978. Living in Michigan had no real appeal to me as it wasn't home without my parents. I moved back to Kentucky which made my wife so happy since Evarts is where she has lived all her life, and her parents still live there. Our sons were born in 1981, which my dad was able to hold them and know that 1 of his grandsons had his name to carry on. He died 3 months later.

Mom spent most of her time with my wife and sons while I worked in the underground coal mines here in souheast Kentucky. Later in life, I landed a job near St. Paul, Va. It to was working underground but the pay was a lot better and so were the working conditions. After 2 1/2 years, the company which had other mines, 1 about 5 minutes in walking distance from our home here in Harlan County, sold their assets and folks were out of work. I won't forget the miners who I consider my friends for life at Virginia City.

After 6 months, I finally was hired on to a mines along the Kentucky and Virginia border. That was in 1984 and in the month of October. I experienced severe back problems while working one morning and, even though I complained, I was told if I left the mines, I was out of a job. This was told to me by my section foreman. So I hung on for 7 hours doing what I could and when I went home. I knew I was hurt bad. I never returned to work, and am classified as disabled, even though useless is more like it. I still suffer from chronic back pain and nerve damage in my legs.

That's when I needed something in my life to to fill the void of missing out on being social with folks I no longer could spend much time with. I found the CB radio to my liking for many years untill things really got ugly and I gave it up. Listening to my scanner, I searched the 2 meter band and listened for hours on end. This drove my wife banana's, but I knew I liked what I heard from the start. I studied the code as best as I could and found I was learning it some, but it wasn't going as smoothly as I would of liked. With a hearing problem in 1 ear, and the pain I was dealing with of the death of my parents, the lost ability to be the person I once was and the pains I still live with even today, I couldn't focus.

The no-code ticket came out and it was like a blessing. This was my chance to do something I wanted so badly to do, without learning another way of saying it, or hearing it. Sure this ticket made a lot of older, die hard hams upset. But after many years, I know you must of seen some good from all these changes the hobby went through. There's more changes coming I've heard and I don't mind them either. Of course, I may never still get my code, but times are changing and the hobby must go with the times. It's still the responsibility of each ham to report to an Official Observer on things another ham is doing wrong that disgraces this hobby. Making the effort to help one another is what I listened to on my scanner over 13 1/2 years ago and that hasn't changed. Help clean up all the bands of which some hams focus on tearing down the rules. I'd like to tell anyone who may wander on to this home page, that the hobby may not be something you're looking into .. but you should hear what your missing and then you can decide if it is or isn't.

For those interested, a book sold at the local Radio Shack or maybe some where's else you'll find it, is called "NOW YOU'RE TALKING". This book will teach you some rules of this hobby as well as teach you what you need to know on making the passing grade during your test session. I have used Packet for most of my ham experienced years, and have a qsl card from the space station MIR (R0MIR). I want to thank my family, starting with my lovely wife Jaime, for putting up with me all these years. You've been the perfect mate for me and I love you dearly. You've tried to help me through my troubled times, but I chose to sort things out by myself. You raised and guided our sons while my thoughts were miles away. Thank you for holding us altogether. My sons Keith, Clyde and Kevin Wayne...you've always been the best gift that GOD has given me. No father could ever be so proud of his children than what I am of the two of you.

My son Kevin has remarried .. his wife's name is Annette. She is the daughter of Lloyd and Sharon Skidmore of Jones Creek. This is her second marriage just as it is for Kevin. Annette and her ex-husband have a 7 year old daughter, who is named Morgan. Kevin and his ex-wife have a daughter who is 4 years old. Her name is Abigail. Kevin and Annette are themselves parents of a baby boy, who is 9 months old. His name is Kevin too, the II. They live above us in the lane. Kevin works in the coal mines, operating a bolt machine for Lone Mountain.

My son Keith and his wife Crystal, live in Holmes Mill. Crystal is the daughter of the late Winston and Delores Caudill of Holmes Mill. Keith and Crystal are very active in church, and attend Victory Baptist in Evarts. This is the same church where they were wed years ago. Crystal is graduating from college this year and my wife and I are very proud of her and her accomplishments. Keith works at Lone Mountain driving an enloader and doing maintance work on the outside. He plans on attending college himself, to become a school teacher.

My wife Jamie and I have been married for 29 years and still in love. She is the daughter of Hershel and Doris Pace of Evarts. I'm so lucky to have Jamie as my wife. She is my best friend as well. Jamie and my sons and their wives, the grandchildren, are my life and I thank the Lord for all he has blessed me with.

I am still restoring my 1970 Ford Torino GT. I have it primered now and when the summer rolls around, I will lay the paint to it. I still am piddling with my 1989 Ford Thunderbird SC, but recent bouts with health problems have slowed the progress. I want to invite those who visit this introduction section, to take up a hobby the whole family can enjoy .. Amateur Radio.

I want to thank Al Waller K3TKJ, for his generosity and making qsl.net a place where amateur radio operators can be found easily and share their ideals. I also want to thank my dear friend, Willis Asher AD4DX, for helping me so much throughout my experience of amateur radio. You are and will always be my friend. Thank you for setting up all that is viewed on my site.

I want to especially thank the families of the United States Armed Forces whose loved ones have given their lives for our beloved country, and those who are still defending it today. May all our troops return home safely, and soon. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America. Please take a moment to sign the guest book. Please visit as much as you'd like...I'll leave the light on for you. Best wishes and regards, from my family to yours! 73 from W4DWP.
Sincerely,

Donald W. Pendergrass

January 05 , 2007