I started listening to radio when I was 14. I was given a RadioShack Patrolman receiver that covered AM, FM, public safety, and shortwave. I listened to radio phones, snowplow crews, police, and fire. I marked the frequencies with tape so I could return to the ones I liked.

When I earned my driver’s license, I bought my first CB radio. I enjoyed it enough to buy a base station with the money I made as a lifeguard. My handle was Northstar.

I started my career in the Stamford, Connecticut Fire Department in 1987. That puts me at over 38 years in the same job!   I spent eighteen years assigned to Rescue 1, with nine of those years as a Lieutenant. I was later promoted to Captain and spent fourteen years assigned to Eastside Station 4. I also served as a Fire Boat Coxswain for Engine 4. In 2024 I was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. I am assigned to the North District at the Turn of River Fire Station. I oversee technology, radios, and the Marine Division. I also completed two tours as a Fire Department Supervisor in the Stamford Combined 911 and Dispatch Center.

The QTH is in Monroe, Connecticut, with my wife and two sons. Both of my sons hold Technician licenses.

I earned my Technician and General licenses on January 21, 2016.  Yes… on the same night.

My interests in ham radio include APRS, antenna building, and computer integration in the shack.

I built my own APRS digipeater and iGate. It uses a Raspberry Pi, a Signalink, and a Yaesu FT-2980. The software includes Direwolf, Xastir, and Yaak.

I have built several antennas, including a J-Pole, a Yagi for work with the space station, and multiple dipoles.

My ham shack runs on a Mac Mini that hosts MacLoggerDX, MacDoppler, and other tools.

My current equipment includes:

• Yaesu FT-991 as my primary QTH radio
• Yaesu FT-857 for my HF and VHF go-bag
• Yaesu FTM-400XD in my Chevy Traverse
• Yaesu FT-3D as my main handheld
• Anytone D878UVII as my DMR handheld

I have collected many other portable radios over the years and continue to enjoy building, testing, and refining my station.