About

I started as a youngster on CB. I played a lot with the CB. In fact so much so that I feared that the knock on the door was the FCC coming to take it away. I built many computers from scratch, when computers were not common place. I built several Z80 computers, and later many many PC’s. Needless to say, I developed a love for electronics early on. The first computer I ever used with any serious power was a Commodore 64. I stayed with Commodore through the Amiga series for most of the 80’s. When I moved to Orlando to go to school at UCF, for Aerospace Engineering, I started to use Windows PC’s. I quickly learned that Micro$oft stunk, but it was accepted in my field and I had to use it, so I conformed. 

 

I graduated from UCF in 1995. Later I went back to school and received a second Bachelors Degree for Business Administration from University of Phoenix in 2001, and returned to obtain my Masters in Business Administration. Sometime during my studies at UOP I migrated to the Apple side of things. Today I work as a software developer and project manager for VIPRE Systems in Orlando Florida, I own a Web-design and Hosting company (EastHoustonStreet.com), and I own a Domain Registrar (Vantigy.com). I use Apple computers for my day to day operations, and when I need to do some windows stuff I just start Parallels and run Windows XP virtually on any of my Apples.

 

I rediscovered Radio in late 2007. I passed my Tech in December 2007, and my General/Extra in January 2008. One of the things that appealed to me when I rediscovered radio was the ability to make contacts with other operators all over the world. The HAM community, in general, are a great group of people that operate on the up and up. Most of them are honest and would go to the ends of the world to help you. This is important to me. The friends I have made on the airwaves are all a great bunch. Most of then understand radio theory and most of those use their knowledge to help the community around them. 

 

This is not to say that there aren’t bad hams - there are. Luckily, those that lie about themselves, violate FCC regulations, or breach the bonds of courtesy, don’t last long. Recently my oldest son expressed interest in the hobby. I am coaching him along and soon he too will be on the airwaves, and helping others.

 

HAM radio is addicting, it gets in your blood. It is so rich in options, that it would take a lifetime to operate in all the available modes and bands. Say you want to work all states, or all countries, when your done you could start fooling with antennae, or you might want to do some satellite work. Then there is the experimental side. I love to experiment on the radio. Right now I play a lot with antenna design. Soon I am going to jump in and try to build an legal limit amp. I love this hobby. And you know what now all I have to worry about when there is a knock on the door, is where I will put all those QSL cards.

 

73 de KU5E

Mario Martinez, Jr. MBA