KE1V's Amateur Radio Activities
 
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14948days until
... I'm well into my 90s. My plan is to use each of these days wisely.

Who is KE1V?



... In Short: Erik Kramer

History:
I was always curious about Amateur Radio and ended up getting licensed after my son and I took a course offered by QRA (a local club). Originally licensed as KB1MIC during June 2005. I was often called K-B-1-M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E on local repeaters (sounds best when sung:-)). I started with a Kenwood G-707 in my car and shortly thereafter acquired a TS-2000 with a dipole strung in the back yard trees. I upgraded to Amateur Extra during June 2008 and shortly thereafter changed my call to KE1V.


Why I became an Amateur Radio operator?:
I often get this question since some view this as an old, obsolete pursuit by "old men." Although I understand this perception of hams, I find that it's wrong a good portion of the time. I have found that  the science, engineering and art of amateur radio exciting. Amateur Radio has allowed me:
  • To get back to my electrical engineering roots by becoming reacquainted with analog and digital hardware circuit design and construction.
  • To meet many other operators who show initiative by 1) learning things, 2) building things, 3) volunteering in many ways for the benefit of their communities. Many of the operators I have met, DO THINGS and challenge themselves and, like me, find life short and try to get in as much as they can into a given day.
  • Play with high power, invisible waves, the atmosphere, towers, batteries, computers, software, wires, etc. etc.
  • Communicate with people all over the world
  • Challenge myself
  • Appreciate the grand history behind Amateur Radio who's contributors include various famous people (another link), astronauts, kings, correspondents, rock stars, war heros,  engineers, scientists and dreamers.