
First licensed in 1971 in Richland, WA as WN7RWU as a Novice class licensee. My first station consisted of a Heathkit DX-100 and Halicrafter SX-101. The antennas were a couple of homebrew double bazookas for 40 and 80 meters.
I took and passed the Tech class license and received the call WA7RWU for the next 10 years. I let that license laps because of family matters, work and other activities that took me out of the amateur radio scene.
In 1995 I went back to school to get my degree in Electronics Technology. Two of my instructors had just passed their Tech license exams and when they found out that I used to have a ticket; got me interested in getting my ticket again. I took and passed the new tech class exam and was issued the call KC7REK. I bought a Kenwood TM-261A and an ADI AT-201HT for use on 2 meters. I was appointed AEC and liaison to the American Red Cross in Jackson County, OR where I helped setup several stations for EOCs and ECCs.
In 2001 I applied for my current call, W7ARC and was challenged to get my General class license which I did at EMCOMM 2001 in CA. I was given a Yaesu FT-747 and an older MFJ antenna tuner to use so I could get on HF. My antenna was a random longwire and the rain gutter on the apartment where I lived in Silverdale, WA in Kitsap County. I worked over 100 countries using this station. In November of 2002 I purchased a new Yaesu FT-840.
In December 2004 we moved to Snohomish County. I have since purchased several radios...a Yaesu FT-2000D, FT-857D, 2-FT-7800, 2-FT-8900, FT-2800M, Alinco DR-235 and a VX-7A (black). I still have the FT-840, the TM-261A and the ADI AT-201. I have 2 new LDG AT-2000 Autotuners and a new MFJ-949E tuner.
My antennas for HF, at my current station, are a copy of a 1929 single-wire fed Windom and a 100 foot longwire. The station is grounded to a single ground rod and connected to the station with ½-inch braid. The entire station is attached to a ½-inch braid bus. (The better the ground - the better (and safer) your station).
I have a plethora of VHF and UHF antenna that I use for 6M,2M,1¼M, and 70 cm. Most of these are magnet mount mobile-style antennas but work well when used with the appropriate ground plane.
I also have a RigBlaster plus, 2 PK232/MBX and a KPC-3 for digital communications (PACTOR and PACKET).
I was appointed Section Traffic Manager in 2003 and District Emergency Coordinator in 2005. I've completed all 3 levels of the ARECC Course and all of the required levels of the FEMA/DHS ICS classes 100, 200, 700,800 and 802.
In 2004 I tested for and passed my Extra Class license exam. Shortly there after I received my VE accreditation from the ARRL and W5YI
I graduated from Rogue Community College (cum laude) 1997 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics Technology and an Electronics Technician Certificate in 1996. I was first licensed in 1971 as a Novice (call of WN7RWU) and currently hold an Extra Class license.
I am an Official Relay Station, Section Traffic Manager for Western Washington, Volunteer Examiner for both the ARRL and W5YI, an Official Emergency Station and a member of the FCC Auxiliary.
I am a member of the Brass Pounders League (BPL) and was awarded the BPL Medallion for traffic handling. I am a Member of the A-1 Operator Club and a past member of US Army MARS (AARØCZ) with over 7 years of service.
A member of the Washington State EOC RACES team (W7EMD) and a member of the Snohomish County ARES®/RACES Team. I am a former ARES® DEC for District One and Regional RACES Coordinator for Washington State Region One. I was also an AEC for Jackson County, Oregon and liaison to the Rogue Valley Chapter American Red Cross.
I have completed all three levels of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) and FEMA courses on ICS and the National Response Plan including the National Incident Management System (NIMS). I am currently mentoring students in all levels of the ARECC program.
I am active on Region 7 nets and am currently active the Noon Time Net, Washington Amateur Radio Traffic System(WARTS) Net, Washington State Emergency Net (WSEN) and other nets. I am Webmaster for WRRL.ORG, EMCOMM.ORG, WASTATEARES.ORG and several other web sites for other groups, individuals and companies.
I am a former Washington State EMT, an Ex-US Navy Sonar Technician and Viet Nam Veteran. I was also a Red Cross volunteer with over 20 years of service and a member of the Disaster Service Human Resources (DSHR) from 1983-2002 resigning because of my wife's medical problems. (UPDATE: My wife passed away Nov. 19, 2008 after a long bout with Progressive Supernuclear Palsy (PSP).)
My Red Cross assignments have taken me across the United States including to New York City for the World Trade Center Disaster of Sept. 11, 2001.
Upon formation of the World Radio Relay League of which I was one of the f0unding members, I was elected 2nd vice president. I am also a vice president for the Western Washington Section Emergency Communications Group - a 501 (c) 3 organization for the betterment of Emergency Communication in the Western Washington Section.