Yes, time for radio!

Recently I decided to go into semi-retirement. I used to work for Blue Origin.

I've left Blue Origin and the aerospace world. As some colleagues would call it, 'turned in my space boots'.

I have plans -- one is to go back to college and earn my master's degree in electrical engineering (MSEE) because eventually I want to teach/instruct college students the ways of embedded software and systems. A mix of hardware and software that involve direct access to the 'magic sand'. That'll take me a couple years I suppose.

In the mean time, carve out a web-shingle that reads in part 'Embedded Software Blacksmith' and do consulting for enterprises trying to unravel the issues that tangle up a lot of programs -- safety critical software, processes, requirements, and board bring-up, and how to mentor and grow burgeoning software teams from scratch.

I'm thrilled about the new opportunities I have and look forward to making great things happen.

It also means my involvement with the Western Washington DX Club will increase as well as my endeavors with chasing DX stations and working on antenna designs for colleagues who are doing expeditions.

A lot of fun things to do.  

I'm very excited for the opportunity.

Visalia '24

It's almost here.    It will be a great convention.

The two presentations that I am excited to hear are from the H44WA and H40WA DX'peditions that occurred between November 2023 and February 2024.   Both of them were geographically close but their operations different.   I am proud that I was able to sweep the H44WA operation (thanks Robin!) and I had a tiny role in getting some equipment modifications for the H40WA operation to help Rob's team.

Aside from that the other anticipation for me is just seeing old friends and making new friends at the convention.  I had a great time last year (my first visit to Visalia) in 2023.   This year will being a new set of opportunities to learn about DX'peditions and review the work that was done.

Tom, ND2T joked in 2023 that "while we speak, there are at least 5 DX'peditions being planned" and at first I thought he was just kidding.  Turns out he was not joking -- and that in of itself is an amazing property of the DX Convention -- things happen!  Plans get made and it's really an amazing thing to behold.

I am expressing my appreciation for all those who have encouraged me during my last year of "intense CW contesting and DX'ing" and I look forward to meeting them again in Visalia this year.

If you have not attended this conference, I highly recommend it.  I believe registration is still open and today (March 8, 2024) is the last day to register if you want to get a Tee-Shirt as part of the registration -- the shirt I believe has your call sign imprinted.

See you there!