In progressing the different ranks in Boy Scouts ​you learn many useful skill sets and practical applications on the journey to Eagle Scout which I obtained by age 13.  I studied morse code and semaphore signaling, along with experiencing the joys of camping, field cooking, emergency preparedness, various troop outdoor activities, and becoming a scout summer camp counselor teaching pioneering, and serving in the camp kitchen.  Although I reviewed the requirements for the radio merit badge, I was intimidated by the speed test for morse code and didn't pursue it further.  I suspect the proficiency in morse code may have held many future young hams from getting their license as well.

After 30+ years in the pharmaceutical/medical research & development field I had business break after major mergers and acquisitions.  This hiatus gave me an opportunity to read voraciously for fun and I stumbled upon ham radio, viewed some UTube videos, and decided to purchase books on preparing for the Technician license in Ham Radio.  Although this book collected dust for too long, I decided to supplement my learning with the ARRL Q&A online modules which I found extremely helpful.  I searched the ARRL site for a testing location near my home in South Orange, found WEARC availability on a Saturday, and passed the Technition  license in January, 2021 and received the call sign KPD2VL.  This was during the height of the pandemic, so the test was administered  from my car which I thought was a very cleaver solution given the circumstances! The licensing bug caught me and I was determined to progress as far in radio science as possible.  So using the same study techniques I passed my General license in June and Amateur Extra in September, 2021.  Subsequently, I joined WEARC to interact with other Hams who enjoy the hobby.

I have an ICOM IC-7300 base station which has a plethora of shiny knobs, switches, dials, and a software defined adjustable screen that keeps me entertained with amusing crackles of static, electronic digital displays, and ham communications both short and long DX to satisfy my childlike, scientific curiosity for extended periods of time!  The radio journey continues.