When I was in grade school, I would tinker with old TV and radio sets that I pulled out of the garbage and brought home. By time I was a teenager, I was completely absorbed into amateur radio and knew electronics would be my career path. I have been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1982.
After starting my career with a short run in commercial broadcast FM radio, I ultimately became an electronics technician for AT&T specializing in transmission equipment, optical & digital circuits (DSx, OCxxx, Ethernet, etc.), wireless, and backup power systems. I retired in 2025 after thirty five years.
A proud graduate of Northern Illinois University and College of DuPage, I hold separate degrees in English and digital electronics.
I started Off Grid Ham as a spinoff of my commentary blog Twenty First Summer specifically to address amateur radio technical topics on a separate platform. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used to compose any articles on this website. All articles that appear on Off Grid Ham are my original compositions unless otherwise cited. Readers can be assured that all opinions expressed here are a result of my own independent experiences and observations.
I hope my experience as both a professional and a hobbyist is useful to others.
I grew up in Naperville, Illinois with a wonderful family and currently reside in a Great Lakes state. A strict vegetarian for my entire adult life, I’m also into motorcycles, shooting/firearms, home improvement/DIY, pets, and cooking.
Statement on integrity & respect.
With all the misinformation, fake news, and outright lies floating around the internet, it’s important to me personally that Off Grid Ham be a place where you can believe what you read.
- Every word, photo, and graphic that appears Off Grid Ham is subject to a very high level of critical thought, fact checking, and editorial discretion.
- I will work hard to earn and keep my readers’ respect.
- If I make a factual error, I will admit it clearly and correct it quickly.
- I do not use artificial intelligence (AI), in whole or in part, to compose any of my articles.