I passed my amateur radio Novice class exam on December 9, 1995 at age 14 and was licensed as KB9MJV. My first rig was a Kenwood TH-215A 2 meter handheld. While most high schoolers were experimenting with other things, I started experimenting with packet radio in 1996 with a Kantronics KPC-3 TNC, Windows 3.11 PC and giant black and white monitor. There were many evenings when I would connect to the local node on 144.950 MHz and start contacting other stations from there. This piqued my interest in computers by opening up the world of programming.&npsp; At that time, I had a three element Cushcraft yagi mounted on my parents' chimney. Inspired by my first HF contact to the North Carolina QSO party in February of 1997, I decided to buy an HF rig and antenna. My first HF rig was a Kenwood TS-520S and my first HF antenna was a Butternut vertical. I managed to work 73 countries in the local ham club contest by 2004 with my current callsign, KC9S.
I got more ambitious after I bought my first home in 2006 (Grid Square: EM59PO). I decided to erect an 80 foot Rohn SST tower in November of 2010. My station now consists of the following:
My current interests are software defined radios, digital voice, HF, 6 meters, satellites, FT8, SSTV, and FM on 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. My favorite bands are 20m, 10m, 6m, 2m and 70cm.
Through this amazing hobby, I've been able to contact amateurs all over the globe in over 140 countries, all continents including Antartica, and even digipeat packets through the International Space Station. It is a tried and true way to communicate when all other electronic means of communication fail.
My interest in Amateur Radio led me to the University of Illinois where I joined the Synton club for a brief while and got my degree in Engineering. I am currently an Electrical Controls Engineer and have been an Engineer for about 20 years. I wouldn't have been so enthused about this hobby without the help of the local club, Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub, my grandfather who built electronic kits with me and taught me how to solder, and especially, Alan Dickens, KA9Z (SK).
Amateur radio has allowed me to develop a great many number of friendships and contact many different cultures in the spirit of communication.