KI4PEQ

Richard L. Ray, KI4PEQ

About me:

I was born July 3, 1957 in Miami, Florida, and have been a resident of Florida most of my life. I am a graduate of Cooper City High School, Cooper City Florida, June 1975. I graduated from University of Hartford, West Hartford,Connecticut, awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Theatre June 1979. After joining the U.S. Air Force I attended the Defense Information School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in late 1983, graduating in early 1984. My course work included the Basic Broadcaster Course, the Electronic Journalism Course (both in residence) and the Basic Journalist Course by correspondence in 1987. While overseas, I earned a Certificate in Information Systems Management from University of Southern California - European Campus in June 1991. After medical retirement from the Air Force, I earned an Associate of Science in Computer Network Administration from Okaloosa-Walton Community College, (now Northwest Florida State College) in May 1998. I have worked as a broadcast journalist, radio announcer, and feature producer for the Air Force European Broadcasting Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the American Forces Network - Europe (AFN-E) in Frankfurt, Germany. My duty locations included Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Torrejon Air Base, Spain, Stuttgart Military Community, Germany, and Soesterberg Royal Netherlands Air Base, Soesterberg, The Netherlands from 1984 to 1994. I was the Community Relations NCO for the 22d Air Refueling Wing, March Air Force Base, California from 1987 to 1988. I was the Special Projects NCO and base newspaper staff writer for the 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida from 1994 to 1996. I was medically retired from the Air Force in January 1996. I worked part-time briefly for WYZB and WFTW radio, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. I am now part owner of a mobile pet grooming business started by my wife, Laura. We have been married since November 10, 1988. We are the parents of two adult sons, two daughters, and have three grandsons. I am a member of the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club. My Amateur interests include digital modes, APRS, emergency communications. I am also a member of SATERN, Crestview CERT, and a trained storm spotter for the National Weather Service Office, Mobile, Alabama.

My amateur radio gear:

Yaesu FT-100D 40 meters and above in mobile.
Yaesu FT-7800D 440/2 meters installed in mobile. Yaesu FT-897D
MFJ Morse Code Keyer/Reader
LDG antenna switch
LDG antenna tuner
G5RV
Tram 2 meter/440 vertical
MFJ 1775 40 meter and above rotatable dipole


Macintosh computers handle logging and rig control.

Other interests: My other interests include computers. geneology, travel and camping, web design, blogging and writing for local media.






My weather page