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 Been into shortwave radio since 1965. Stable includes a shiny new Icom IC-7610 as my primary rig, Yeasu FT-2000, Yeasu FTM-6000 in my Denali, Kenwood R-2000, R-5000, Icom R-75, a slew of portables (Tecsun PL-880, Kaito 1102, Sony 7600g, DX-375, CC Radio & more) and my newest SDR rigs, RSPdx & AirSpy HF+ Discovery. Toss in a couple of dual band handie talkies. 

I am retired from a dual career as a Navy Data Systems technician followed by a 2 year stint as a DoD contractor with ManTech, Int, a superb compay to work for! 2001 saw me hop into the Civil Service as an Telecommunications Specialist (0391 series). 2 years later I converted to the IT Specialist (2210 series) again working for DoD. Transferred to Wyoming in 2004 working for DoI, Bureau of Reclamation. Maintained IT systems for hydro electric dams. One sweet job! 

Retired in 2020. Now I spend quality time with my xyl & 14 year old Italian Greyhound/chihuahua/pom puppy. Add 10 grandkids into the mix. I keep busy dabbling in restoring wooden tube radios, woodworking, motorcycling, reloading, photography, pc/internet & SDR radios. As of 7/1/22 I now have my General class ticket. Call sign KK7HGD. Yippee!!

Updates:

#1: Deciding on my ultimate HF rig. Narrowed the choices down to the Icom 7610 and the Yeasu FTdx-101MP. The Kenwood TS-890s is one sweet radio but I want a SDR driven rig. The Flex units are amazing however for me, they require to much "attention", think windows folks. I want all the perks of SDR technology while simply pressing the power button to get on the air. My two choices both fill that requirement quite nicely. I hope to make the buy an early Christmas present!

#2: I decided to purchase the Icom 7610. Excited I am!! Scheduled to arrive December 8th. 

#3: Purchased a new Yeasu FTM-6000 dual bander. Installing it in my Denali. Works great as a base rig too. One sweet little radio. Does everything I need to participate in local 2m & 70cm activities. 199 bucks for a new rig isn't bad! 

#4: I log promptly using QRZ & LoTW. Takes me all of 60 seconds to enter into QRZ & upload to LoTW. One thing I discovered quickly. Few hams log any more. I wonder why one would not take 60 seconds after calling CQ for 5 minutes and then running a 30 minute QSO? As a new ham, the eAwards are fun. They mean something. I do not pursue the award. I enjoy the contact. However, if ARRL & QRZ & YL System offer awards, why not help your fellow ham (who might be new like me) and take a minute to log the contact. Not a criticism, just my humble take on the subject. 

You will find me on 10 meters (28430)/17 meters (18157.5 17m Activity Group)/20 meters days & 20/40 meters nights. If you hear me, I am always ready to rag chew! 

73 & hope to contact you on the air soon! KK7HGD