My Name is Don Schaffer, I live in Arvada, CO USA. I’m a new amateur radio operator, I was granted an Amateur Radio Technician License in September of 2010.

My interest in Radio Communications began in 1966 when I was trained as a Field Radio Operator in the United States Marine Corps. During service in Viet Nam I was severely injured. 27 months after I was wounded I was Medically Retired from the Marines. I am currently a 100% Disabled Veteran.

After my retirement from the Marines I attended an Electronics Trade School. My wife was working to put me through school. When she became pregnant with our first child I put schooling on hold and went to work as a dispatcher for the Boulder Colorado Police Department. This was a temporary job until my wife could get back to work and me back to school. 23 years later, after our son had joined the Marines, I retired from my "temporary" job as Manager of the County-Wide 9-1-1 Dispatch Center.

Over the years I tried many times to get my Ham "Ticket". However, due to a minor hearing loss I suffered in combat, I could never pass the code portion of the Amateur Test. I recently learned that the Code was no longer required and took and passed the Technician Test, about 40 years after I first tried.

I plan to get into HF communications eventually. However, since I have over 40 years experience both Military and Public Safety VHF / UHF communications that's where I'm starting.

Being retired I'm very excited about a new hobby to help me pass the time.

E-Mail DON KA0DLS@schaffer.us

DON