KO4GS Howard Waxman Newport News, VA QCWA # 33503 Chapter 119

I participate in LoTW and very much appreciate confirmations there. I upload all QSOs to LoTW and to QRZ on a regular basis.

Licensed in 1976 as WN4GNE, Novice, I was introduced to the hobby by Richard Weisshaut, WA4MKN in Miami Beach where I was raised. Living in a highrise apartment building right on the Atlantic Ocean, I had Europe at my fingertips but, alas, a missed opportunity! WN4GNE became WA4GNE and eventually my license lapsed without much activity. Moving and then college and Navy served as a distraction from radio exploits.

In 1989, I was a Nuclear Machinist's Mate in the US Navy, stationed in Charleston, SC. I had recently reported to USS Sam Rayburn(SSBN-635) after 5 years onboard USS Henry M. Jackson(SSBN-730) and we had just completed Sam Rayburn's conversion from a Fleet Ballistic Missle Submarine to the Navy's first Moored Training Ship(MTS-635) at Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) Charleston, SC. We were at our new home at the Naval Weapons Station and I was enjoying a bagged lunch in the breakroom where I heard Danny Groover, W9PW, and Scott Chippendale, WB3EFS, chatting about Ham Radio - soon after that I had my Novice licence as KC4OOQ and upgraded to Technician as N4YJX. Next, I upgraded to Advanced as KO4GS. I finally picked up Extra Class on 8 JAN 2011 after 20 years as an Advanced Class - it's nice not to worry about odd band limits!

It's KAY OH 4 GEE ESS, Not KAY ZERO 4 GEE ESS! (if you reached this page - then you know that)...but let me tell ya! That "O" is trouble .... but it's mine!

July 12, 2015