Ham Radio Biography for KB7YOU
from an eHam.net questioner

Name:
Chris Levin

Photo:
Picture of KB7YOU

Email address:
kb7you@arrl.net

Web sites:
http://radio.rocklizard.org , http://www.rocklizard.org

Year born:
1965

I am originally from...
New York

Previous calls:
None - I'll have my call FOREVER!

My marital status is...
Happy, In Love, Married

XYL/Kids/Grandkids:
Wife, Meg (KD7YMZ) & Tori, my daughter, born Oct. 15, 2002

I got interested in ham radio because...
Born 12/19/1965 - I have been interested in radio and electronics almost from the day I could walk. I watched AND REMEMBER Neal Armstrong walking on the moon. I had my first erector set at 4 and my first electric shock a few months later. Took a break from HV to build crystal radios. Learned to tap phones, fix TV's and tube radios at 16. Had a minor run in with AT&T. Went strait and became a computer hacker with a love for radio.

My favorite thing to do in ham radio is... Because?
Build new antennas and make distant contacts using them. Improving my electronics skills. Mastering the transistor! Because I want to know more. Also, teaching my daughter to use a radio - she really likes it. At 19 months she sends her name in letters and in Morse.

My equipment consists of...
Icom 706 MKIIg, Icom W32-A, Icom 756, Kenwood TMD700A. Antennas are all homebrew and include an inverted L long wire 240' long at 35 feet, 80m dipole, homebrew computer interface for digital modes. Also run an APRS station and digi. Latest project is a backpack portable hf/vhf/uhf system with solar + battery power and homebrew verticals and tuners.

I am a member of the following ham radio clubs...

 
I have earned the following accomplishments in ham radio...
Have had several interesting QSO's with hams on other continents. Have made Morse code QSO's around the word at 7wpm. I Help less experienced hams learn new things and help them out hands on when ever I can. I Taught my wife and daughter Morse code. I have studied and homebrewed and I learned enough electronic and transistor theory to build basic oscillators, switches and amps. I Also understand and can build real antennas and matching networks. I did this own my own. 100% self taught using the sills I learned in college studying computer science and electrical engineering.

The funniest thing that ever happened to me on the air was...
Calling CQ DX on 6 meters and all of a sudden this booming station comes in with a 59 report. It was my neighbor down the street. He said someone should talk to me. So he did and we had a great QSO.

The biggest pileup I ever heard or busted was...
Well I heard a station in Slavinia (spelling?) and he was a 59. I called him several times and when he answered I realized I was on 14.200 MHz. My privs begin at 14.225 so I was busted! First, last and only time I will ever press the key without reading the dial! Please Mr. FCC, don't hurt me. I'm sorry.

I would like to try the following new things in ham radio in the next 10 years...
Anything with technical merit that does no detract from others enjoyment. Anything I discover and build on my own. Anything that improves my operating skill and on-air consideration.

When I'm not on the radio, you can normally find me...
Playing with my beautiful daughter Tori and teaching her to be an intelligent, compassionate, thinking human being. Spending time with my awesome wife Meg, kayaking, road tripping or reading together. Other interests include: taking pictures, doing some amateur astronomy, learning electronics, or writing Windows based networking code. I write code for fun and I do it professionally as a troubleshooting consultant both independently and through a large consulting company. Call me if your program is busted. I'm also running a web site with commentary, pictures and radio topics. Its at http://www.rocklizard.org