Member Spotlight : Joe KE2NK

What was your “Aha!” moment that first pulled you into the world of amateur radio? 

All during my high school years my father and I were heavily into CB Radio. We had a Moonraker 4 on the house . It was a huge 4 element beam quad antenna. The base rig was a Cobra 2000 with a lollipop D104 microphone. After completing my first year of college my father was driving me home from school and told me he passed his amateur radio novice and tech exams. Back then there was still a morse code requirement to be licensed. I spent the summer learning morse code and studying the theory so I could “join” my dad on the ham bands. I passed my novice and tech exams at the end of the summer before returning to college.

The First Contact: Tell us about your very first QSO. Who was it with.

My first contact was on a Kenwood TH 215 HT talking with my Dad who was also on an Kenwood TH 215 HT. We were on different floors of the house talking on 2m simplex.

The Gear Head: If your shack was on fire and you could only grab one piece of gear (after family and pets), what would it be and why? 

It would be my Icom 9700 because it is the “pride and joy” of my shack.

The “Why” Factor: What is your favorite “niche” within the hobby right now? (e.g., CW, digital modes, POTA/SOTA, or building antennas). 

 I spent 30 years in education doing IT so I have a heavy technical background. My latest interest has been Winlink. I have been working with the team to configure W2DQ-10 to transfer mail via HF should the internet go down.

The Lesson Learned: What’s the most “spectacular” mistake you’ve made in radio that actually taught you something valuable? 

I went off the air in 1999 and didn’t get back n the air until 2020. Life and other priorities got in the way. If I had to do it again I would never have gone offline for 21 years.

The Future View: What is one goal you’re currently chasing—is there a specific award, a new mode, or a technical skill you’re working to master? 

I never learned to solder. I know it can be a useful skill. It is something club members have offered to help me with.

The Elmer’s Edge: What is one piece of advice you would give to a new ham just getting their Technician license?

Don’t be afraid to get on the air. Hams love to make contact with new amateur radio operators. It’s universal. We all started where you are.

The SCRC Connection: What is your favorite memory or experience involving the Suffolk County Radio Club? 

Field Day in June of 2025. I had not been to any club meetings prior to this since the 1990s. My wife and I stopped in to introduce ourselves and it quickly felt like I never left. I felt right at home talking with others who share my love for amateur radio.