with my wife, Debra, KI7HVX

KG7BZ August H. Johnson Sweet Home, OR QCWA # 37545 Chapter 108

I was born in Flagstaff, AZ USA in 1956. I spent the first two years of my life living on the grounds of Lowell Observatory where my Dad, Harold Lester Johnson, was an astronomer.

I was first licensed in 1986, my Novice call was KA7WPW. A few months later my friend Paul KD7QK told me that the Sierra Vista, AZ Hamfest was coming up in 3 months and "You're getting your Advanced license"! Lots of code practice ensued. I passed the Technician, General and Advanced written exams and the 13 wpm code! Call was KE7RH. Then KE0WZ and finally KG7BZ. I'm sticking with that, I like the rhythm on CW.

Later, in 2000 I heard that the FCC was going to drop the 13 and 20 wpm requirements in 2001. I again practiced hard and got my code speed up and passed the Extra written and the 20 wpm code exams. Unfortunately that's all I ever used CW for was the exams. I can do about 5 wpm now. I'm working on getting back up to speed, I like a straight key and CW a lot.

I live in Sweet Home, Oregon.

I am an ARRL member and an ARRL and W5YI Volunteer Examiner.

November 30, 2017