James Horak - KG5PTE

I am a retired US Military veteran (E-6 Technical Sergeant, TSgt). I enlisted on September 22, 1986, and retired on June 27, 2005, with a medical disability. During my first tour I was assigned the venerable BUFF, and after four years as a B-52G Stratofortress Crew Chief, I cross trained to the F-15 Eagle and became an Eaglekeeper. 

My assignments were Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA. Then Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Then I went overseas for one year to NAS Keflavik in Iceland. And then back to Eglin AF, FL. I was transferred to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX, for 2 years, then transferred to Tyndall AFB in Panama City, FL. Finally, I was transferred to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, and worked support duties there until I retired in June 2005.

After retirement I moved back home to Texas. I am a native of Kingsville, having grown up and educated there. But after my tour in the USAF, I chose to relocate to central Texas to be closer to my family. 

I was trained in B-52G & F-15 aircraft maintenance, and computer technology. I have been involved in amateur radio since October of 2016 and have had an interest in radios and frequency scanners for many years.

I received my Technician license in October of 2016 and upgraded to General in August of 2020.  My Amateur Extra license upgrade came in September of 2021.  (I took the Amateur Extra exam on Saturday, September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of 9/11.)

I operate mostly VHF & UHF (analog and digital.) The HF mode I operate on is phone on both 10- and 20-meters. I am studying CW now.