KP4MD

Carol remembers building her first crystal radio kit as a child in the 60’s in New York City.  Living in the Bronx, a mere 3 miles from the 50 kW powerhouse WCBS transmitter, the little crystal earphone could be heard from across the room.  Her aunt’s old Grundig multi-band radio with exotic places like London, Berlin and Moscow on its tuning dial sparked her fascination with short waves.  While in 6th grade, Carol first heard a 75-meter AM ham conversation on her own 3-band transistor portable, and she was hooked.

As a high school student Carol collected short wave listener QSL cards for a few years until 1970 when she learned Morse code with an LP bought at a Lafayette Radio store and earned her Technician class license, WB2OZA.  She built her first rig—a Knight Kit TR-108 2 meter AM transceiver, and soon added equipment for 6 meters and 439 MHz amateur television.  In 1971 she won the New York City-Long Island Section Award for the ARRL June VHF QSO Party contest and upgraded to Advanced class.  As a college student, she built her first SSB radio in 1972, a Heathkit HW-101, joined Air Force MARS and the ARRL, and was active with the Fordham University Amateur Radio Club K2FO where she gave Novice classes and exams.  After several weeks of W1AW code practice sessions, she overcame the 20 WPM code barrier and upgraded to Amateur Extra class in 1974.