About Me

I’ve been passionate about amateur radio since I was first licensed in Germany in 1999 with a Class 3 license. After a 15-year break, I returned to the hobby in 2019 with a German Class E license, and upgraded to Class A in 2022. Along the way, I also achieved my US Extra Class license with the callsign AI7TN, expanding my international reach and knowledge. The US license tends to be more widely recognized in many parts of Asia compared to the German Class A, which opens up additional opportunities for operating abroad.

My radio experience started when I was 14 years old, using CB radios with my friends. We had mobile stations at home as well as handheld transceivers. Back in those days, there were no cell phones — just the plain old phone system, and even local calls cost money by the minute. It was especially cool to carry a radio on your bicycle, staying in touch with friends while roaming the neighborhood. With our first personal computers — I started with a 386 — we got packet radio modems for serial over-the-air connections.

My Operating Setup

I initially dived into DMR but soon found it too cumbersome due to the complexity of code plugs. After experimenting with D-Star and C4FM, I settled on Yaesu’s C4FM system—partly due to the high cost of ICOM D-Star handhelds.

When my transceiver is on, I usually operate through local repeaters in my area. At home, I use a Yaesu FTM-200 to monitor DB0FT from time to time. Additionally, I use HamsoverIP on demand. If someone would like to talk to me via IP, we’ll need to schedule a time.

In addition to digital modes, I really enjoy the HF bands. For my SOTA (Summits on the Air) activities, I rely on the rugged Lab599 TX-500, which is perfect for the outdoors. With my 6 Ah LiFePO4 battery, I can be confident that power won’t be an issue during any activation.

A Techie’s Approach to Meaningful Radio Connections

For me, amateur radio has always been about more than just casual chats—it’s about diving into the technical side of things. While some enjoy exchanging QTH or weather reports, I find my phone gives me all the weather info I need! Instead, I’m always up for a conversation about setups, new modes, or the latest innovations.

If you’re passionate about tinkering, testing, or implementing technologies like AREDN, Packet Radio, or exploring other exciting modes, I’m more than happy to lend a hand and share my knowledge. I love connecting with fellow tech enthusiasts to explore what’s possible in this amazing hobby.

Feel free to reach out or explore more about my projects and journey here!