Hello all EC’s, DEC’s, ASEC’s and other interested parties,
Mr. Kjell L Anderson, KJ5EMP has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Northwest Unit in District 14 of the South Texas Section. District 14 is composed solely of Harris County, subdivided into 4 quadrants. I-10 is the north-south divider. I-45/HWY 288 is the east-west divider. Kjell replaces Mr. John Sawyer, KD5U. who is moving to North Texas and served as EC for 2 ½ years. District 14 EC (DEC) Mr. Sherwin Klemp K5SEK and Section Manager, Mr. Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX, approve of the new appointment.
Kjell, who goes by KJ, tells his story:
I first heard about ham radio when I was a Field Leader in Kitsap County’s Explorer Search and Rescue between 1995-1999, while living in Washington State. But it wasn’t until I worked at King Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado, where as a ranch hand and wrangler, radios were often the only way to communicate out in the Arapaho National Forest on horseback. I remember the uncomfortable feeling of being completely cut off without cellular or landline services most of the time.
After the ranch, I served in the Army’s 2/75 Ranger Battalion (11B2V) and led several different teams through 5 combat tours across Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) from 2001-2005.
After the military, I worked as a Datacenter Program Manager for Microsoft, and through various friends, I was added to the ham radio group. I got pressured into attending a Field Day and made my first real ham radio contact in a GOTA tent at Fort Flagler, WA around 2010, operating under the care of AE7G and the K7LED Amateur Radio Club. I will never forget how immediately connected I felt to an ever-present, invisible network of very nerdy, cool, friendly people. I got bit by the ham radio bug really hard.
I got my tech license shortly thereafter and bought a Kenwood TM-D700 from a friend, I’ve been on the air ever since.
I moved my family from Seattle to Houston in 2017, just before the Harvey floods; in 2020 I joined Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club and changed my vanity callsign of K7YAR to KJ5EMP and added my Extra while COVID had everyone shut in and working from home. I was a daily participant in BVARC’s “Stir Crazy Net” at the height of COVID, I relied heavily on my radio for much-needed contact with other people, it really got me back on the air in a big way.
I am currently an Extra Class VE, ARRL Member, BVARC Member, Harris County ARES NW AEC responsible for training, Harris County ARES webmaster. I hold a GMRS license (WRFR550), and I co-lead the unofficial “BOTS ARC” for the “Brotherhood of the Scroll,” helping Special Operations Veterans stay connected and maintain a hobby after serving our country. By day, I’m a Vice President at a satellite communications company; on nights and weekends when I’m not attending sports or other adventurous activities with/for my 5 kids, or out dancing with my wife of nearly 20 years, you’ll find me heating up local houston repeaters or making digital contacts around the world.
I am a respectful extrovert- an eager teacher but I’m always a humble student. If you hear me on the air, please don’t hesitate to say hi.
This appointment is effective December 1, 2024.
Welcome KJ.
Regards to all,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC