Jack Adams (W4CVY) gave me my novice test and became my Elmer. Jack helped me build my first transmitter. Using a power transformer from a television set, a 5763 oscillator, and a 6146 final, I ran 75 watts on 3709 KHz (the only crystal that I owned) into a dipole antenna. My first receiver was a Hallicrafters S-19R  Sky Buddy. I was able to talk to all my friends around town and even managed to work 11 states as a novice with this setup.

I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1961, upgraded to a technician class license (K4SLX), and fell in love with the six-meter band. Using a Heathkit Sixer (Lunchbox) into a dipole antenna, I worked much of the country. The next year I upgraded the station to a Hammarlund HQ-100 receiver with an Ameco CB-6 converter, a five-element Cushcraft yagi at 50 feet and a homebrew transmitter with an 807 final. With this combination I worked 36 states, Cuba, Mexico, and the Bahamas. I was on the air nearly 24 hours a day. My love affair with six meters continues to this day!

I upgraded to General in 1963 and began working the world on the high frequency bands (using a Globe Scout 65A transmitter and an HQ-100 receiver).

As a teenager, I had the good fortune of being a member of the ASTRO - Atlanta Society of Teenager Radio Operators. This was an active contest club. We competed among ourselves and with the 'older' clubs in the Atlanta area in contests like Field Day, Sweepstakes, and the Georgia QSO party.

I attended Clemson University (Clemson, SC) from 1967 to 1971. My radio operation was severely limited during this time. After graduation I worked in retail electronics.

In 1975 I opened a Lafayette Radio franchise store in Anderson, SC. The ham gear, small parts, audio equipment, and CB equipment attracted many of the electronic enthusiasts in the upper part of the state of South Carolina.

In 1977 the FCC made a block of 1x2 call signs available. I applied for a new call and received the call N4JK.

I made many lifelong friends in Anderson, particularly members of the Anderson Amateur Radio club. In 1981 I left retail electronics and returned to school to study electronics engineering.

In 1983 I had the opportunity to use my recent education at Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta, GA. I worked in broadcast engineering at CNN, Headline News, and WTBS. This led to work in the area that I desired, satellite transmission at the Turner Uplink.

In 1989 I was able to join a small startup satellite company,  Panamsat, in Homestead, FL. Panamsat was the first private international satellite company connecting Europe and Latin America to the United States. Panamsat grew by expanding their fleet of satellites. In 1995 Panamsat became a part of Hughes Electronics.

I joined IBM in 1996 as an IBM Network Integrator specializing in satellite communications systems. I worked there until August 2001. These job changes have allowed me to operate from Atlanta, GA, Clemson, SC, Anderson, SC, Homestead, FL, and Lexington, KY. The move to Destin, Florida, in November of 1999 was the last move - I hope.

In September of 2002, I changed careers. After completing classes at local college on computer networking, I began working for a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) - Gulfnet Technologies, Inc. Destin.

In 1994 a friend of mine, Tom Babb, KK4BU (SK), told me about the fun of working with AM transmitters, receivers and restoring tube gear. From his encouragement I bought my first boat anchor, a Gonset G-76, at the Charlotte, NC, hamfest for $40! I restored it and I've been hooked ever since. I love the sound of the older gear, the long-winded transmissions, and the friendly and helpful manner of the folks using this mode of transmission. I am now a card-carrying member of AM International and of the Southeastern AM Radio Club (member # 21).

These days I'm active on 432, 6, and  2 meter SSB, on 40, 20 SSB, and 80,40, and 10 meter AM.

Oh yes, the call sign of K4SLX is now assigned to my favorite ham operator, my wife Kate.