Steven DiPirro (KC1OSX)
How long have you been a Ham?
I obtained my technician license almost four years ago, followed by my general license about a month later and my extra license three months after that. Although I just received my ham radio license a few years ago, my interest in radio dates back over 50 years. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, I was an enthusiastic CB radio operator. I would often wake up early on weekend mornings to make "skip" contacts and kept paper logs of my communications across the country. I used a Realistic Navajo base station, a powered desk microphone, and a 20-foot collinear half-wave vertical antenna installed at a height of around 40 feet.
What mode(s) within Amateur Radio do you enjoy operating?
I spend most of my time with the SSB phone on the HF bands, and that is what I enjoy most. I have played around with digital voice modes like C4FM/Fusion and DSTAR as well as APRS, and more recently, since joining ARES, various digital modes on VHF and HF with fldigi and Winlink. I enjoy portable operation to experiment with different portable setups for fun but that might also come in handy for ARES and emergency comms. I would like to learn CW at some point, but so far, I haven't had the time to commit to learning it. I am interested in learning more about antenna design and modeling. I enjoy helping new hams and prospective hams and do this in online forums as well as locally.
Describe your involvement with GSARA.
I've been a member of GSARA for a few years now, joining during Covid lockdowns, where it was really nice to be able to keep in touch with people locally on the nightly net. I've participated in a few field days, outreach events, and Zoom meetings, but I haven't been as involved as I'd like to be. I'm a somewhat infrequent check-in on the nightly nets, and I haven't yet joined folks for a breakfast. Those who know me know that it's not due to a lack of interest but because I spread myself pretty thin. Besides membership in GSARA and volunteering with ARES, I work full-time as a software engineer, have a side photography business, a large organic garden, belong to the NH Astronomical Society, am a member at two fish & game clubs where I do competitive shooting in seven different leagues.
What is one piece of advice you would give a new Ham?
I usually tell new hams to make the hobby their own and not let other people tell them what they should be doing. Find the aspects of the hobby you enjoy most and remember that this journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something and ask for help, but be prepared for the onslaught of opinions that feels like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant! And when on the radio, LISTEN and then listen some more. It's amazing what you can learn just by listening, but also don't be afraid to get on the air yourself and make mistakes. Everyone was there at one point, and don't let a few negative people you may encounter get you down about this wonderful hobby.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I have heard that there are ham radio clubs out there that aren't very helpful with new hams, but GSARA is most definitely not one of those clubs. I have found everyone to be the types of hams that exemplify what the hobby is supposed to be. I have learned a lot, and I have had the opportunity to help new hams as well. Hopefully I'll find the time to get more involved with club activities! I can always be reached at kc1osx@arrl.net. I couldn't find any recent pictures of me but was required to submit one here. That meant I needed to take a new picture, and I would like to thank Eric for this horrific reminder of the aging process, where Photoshop doesn't have enough filters anymore! Yikes!