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| K9UNA |
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| United States of America |
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| Name Surname |
: MICHAEL A KUNA |
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| Address |
: 1232 SUNNYBROOK DR
NAPERVILLE IL 60540
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| Biography |
: My interest in radio started at age 10 when I discovered that I could hear distant AM radio stations on my $19 "Invicta" AM/FM radio (purchased from Olson Electronics via a loan from my Dad). That interest led me to the family basement and an old Knight AM/SW radio (circa 1930's). Some of the mechanical parts had dried out, but I was able to refabricate them with junk from around the house. I was blown away when I turned on the SW band and heard Radio RSA, BBC and Radio Moscow, all in English! For me radio became a passport out of my working class Chicago neighborhood as I learned about other countries, their viewpoints and cultures. In fact, in may ways I would say that radio changed my life as I realized that there were many options in the world and I was limited only by my ability or imagination. In late grade school I joined the CB craze and spent many happy hours with school friends and radio friends. This interest faded with HS and two new interests, hi-fi equipment and girls! I had some thoughts about getting a Ham ticket but with little money, other interests and a lack of an Elmer the idea was put on the back burner. I continued with my radio "love affair" by collecting all sorts of radios and with my SWL hobby. Years passed, filled with school, marriage, children and career demands. I had heard about the no-code Tech license, but I didn't even have time to study for that. During the late 1990's some people that I knew shared their concern about the Y2K thing, it made sense and I became concerned too (please no comments, my wife has clearly reminded me of the error of my ways!). The up side of this lack of judgment was that it propelled me back into Ham Radio. Even though I didn't have the time (who does) I made the time and I started to study and take exams. My biggest fear was the code test as I have a terrible time with audio discrimination. The 5 WPM test was like climbing Mount Everest to me and I spent months listening to tapes. I worked my way up the other tests and in about a year I earned my Extra ticket. Fate intervened with the birth of my daughter Grace and all hobby activities had to be put on hold, replaced by my new job as assistant diaper changer. Grace is now 1.5 years old and I'm finally able to play around with my new hobby. When I'm not twisting the dials or working you can find me mostly with family, one wife, three kids and four cats! Beyond radios I like to play around with computers, do desktop publishing and fool around with digital video and photo editing. Summer time usually brings some camping adventures, which are always welcome. My wife says that I'm a great cook (but I wonder about her motives) and I can sometimes be found stirring a pot of something in the kitchen. Now that I'm well established in middle age I'm concerned that I'll never be thin again. With that said I'm on a perpetual diet. It's great to tune around the dial to hear other Hams spending 30 minutes asking about their signal quality or talking about their latest filter or radio. Most casual listeners would be puzzled by such behavior, as a long-time lover of radio I completely understand!
Update: Since I wrote this we had another little one. William is now 18 months old! Naturally, this new addition initially kept me away from the radio but once again I'm back on the air. This time I'm also armed with a linear amp. As soon as Spring comes I plan some major antenna work. Unfortunately, my Gap Tital seems to operate as a dummy load on 80m. At 50 I sincerely think that there will not be any more little Kunas from the QTH
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