Ken Standard - Profile

The Author, Circa 2005 La DOTD

I am a well-experienced professional with more than 20 years experience building, repairing, programming, selling and managing computer services, software and hardware. I started this career as an electronic technician and now my attention has turned to programming.

I have written a number of articles for web and print on various technical subjects including computer technology, programming, operating systems, electronic theory, and ham radio.

I am licensed by the FCC as a First Class Radiotelephone Operator - this used to be the license for broadcast engineers, but that all changed in the late 70's. Now the FCC requires an endorsement for broadcast, radar, and some marine electronics. But, I digress!

In addition I am an Amateur Extra Class ham radio operator, living out my life long passion for the hobby. I am the county emergency communications coordinator for the American Radio Relay League (our national organization to represent our interests in Washington DC and at the IARU, WARC, and others). I am also the manager of a network of Salvation Army ham radio volunteers who help the relief effort in disasters, as well as forward health and welfare message into and out of affected areas where regular communication channels fail (as they often do). These two positions are of importance when disaster strikes a wide-spread area as in a hurricane or large scale flooding.