President: Michael Tharp, KG5TJF
I got my Technician’s license in June 2017 and upgraded to General class in August 2019. I like to play around with Echolink, mobile, portable and DMR. My long-term goal is to get involved with the National Weather Service Skywarn program.
Currently I also oversee the Field Day activities for the club as well. This enables me to work with many active members of the club planning and executing these exciting events.
Vice President: Bruce Cameron, K6IL
Former Radio Shack junkie- ’70s kid armed with a 100-mW walkie-talkie. I passed my Tech in 1992 and gradually worked my way up to Extra K6IL. I retired from Federal Law Enforcement and resumed the hobby. Honored to win the Klub’s 2023 SSB phone in the 50th Anniversary Contest! I enjoy the various networks and my local radio club(s). I have a YouTube channel and a Facebook page @K6IL radio.As a former Federal Law Enforcement Official for the U.S. Department of Justice, our office managed regional operations spanning five states, making crucial decisions that affected thousands of federal offenders, families, victims, and the public at large. Currently, I am in private practice as a consultant and Licensed Professional Counselor.
Treasurer: B. J. Watkins, K5BJW
Growing up in the age of CB radio, my interest began in high school when I got my first Hallicrafters CB24 radio. While ham radio was appealing, the Morse code requirement stopped me in my tracks. During my career with the Dallas Police Department, I found myself drafted as a radio dispatcher for 18 months and later returned for another tour of 12 months as a radio room supervisor and 9-1-1 center supervisor.
Later, the city offered a class for the technician ham license that had recently had the code requirement removed. I was licensed as KE5UMC on May 8, 2008. I later passed my General Class on October 6, 2015. I am a past treasurer for P.A.R.K. having completing my predecessors term and served an additional term in addition.
I am usually found on the VHF/UHF bands or building antennas.
Secretary: Damon Koch, K5OCH
Activities Director: Asif Ahmed, K5SIF
Communications Director: Miranda Schwarck, KE5YZP
Webmaster: James McCormick, KG5KBP
James was licensed in 2015. He’s an IT professional by day, and by the weekend he’s operated mostly on low power modes on JT65, FT8, and FT4. Somewhere around the house, he has a Raspberry Pi he set up to be a self-contained Winlink unit. Previously, he was affiliated with Carrollton ARES/RACES, back when he lived in that part of town.
Newsletter Editor: Lonnie Webb, KG5WHQ
Public Relations: Rob Forson, K5WFR
Rob has had an interest in severe weather since living through an F4 tornado that destroyed a large part of his hometown. After moving to Plano, he discovered that local storm spotters use the amateur bands and decided to get licensed. He upgraded to General later that summer and then ultimately got his Extra ticket a few years after that.
Rob enjoys digital modes, fox hunting and the occasional Raspberry Pi project, until a hammer is needed. He assists with communications for events such as the Plano Balloon Festival and Meals on Wheels, is a member of Collin County ARES and is a Volunteer Examiner.
Rob is a licensed professional engineer and owns a petroleum consulting business. In his spare time he moonlights as a photographer for a local high school band.
It must in the genes: Rob’s daughter Katherine, KT5KMF, is currently CVE and president of W5AC, the Texas A&M University Amateur Radio Club. And a member of the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers.
Past Presidents:
Immediate Past President: Tim Johnson, K5TCJ
Tim is a retired Chief Petty Officer (Electronics Technician) having served over 25 years in the US Naval Services. And is now retired from a fulfilling career in telecommunications that has progressed from twisted pair phone lines, satellite, microwave and fiber-optics networks; Internetworking solutions, VoIP technologies, and cloud-based telephony and networking solutions.
Following a lifetime of interest, interrupted by family and career, Tim became a General Class Amateur Radio Operator (KF5JDH) in 2010 and upgraded to Amateur Extra in 2012. He is active on the HF bands, chasing DX, working digital modes, casual contesting, and the occasional FM satellite pass. Off the air, Tim enjoys Antenna Parties, Field Day, Elmering and being Elmered, teaching Technician and General classes, and is a Volunteer Examiner.
Sean Kelly, W5SPK
Sean P. Kelly holds an Amateur Extra Radio Class, call sign W5SPK. He was first licensed in May 1999 as KD5HGS. He owes his love of the hobby to his father, Patrick W. Kelly (WQ6N-SK). He has earned certifications in emergency communications from the American Radio Relay League as well as completing courses with FEMA in ICS, NIMS, and AUX-COM. He is a nationally certified firefighter (IFSAC and Pro-Board Seals) and a registered Emergency Medical Technician in the State of Texas. He is a veteran volunteer FF/EMT having served four different departments in three states. He is married and father of two. His family includes three additional licensed operators – his wife Shannon is W5SEK; Conor, his son is KG5UPJ; and his daughter Grace is KG5APE. Sean is employed by Amphenol Corporation. Sean’s mentoring focus is tied to emergency communications and HF mobile operations.
Bruce Dingman, N5BYL
Bruce became a ham in 1980 as a Technician. Just a few months later he achieved Advanced. He enjoyed HF CW, but became more interested in the Public Service side. Bruce became Weather related AEC for Collin County, and served as EC for Collin County ARES for about 8 years, and then became District 5 DEC. He has previously held Communications Director, Treasurer and President offices within the PARK organization. He is an avid photographer, and is presently working as Production Manager for a small company that builds Test Equipment for the US Air Force.
Kipton Moravec, AE5IB
Kip, AE5IB, got his license in 2007. He enjoys the public service and emergency readiness aspects of Amateur Radio. He usually operates on VHF and higher, and likes to work with HSMM-MESH at 2.4 GHz. Now his weekends seem to be taken up working on the PARK repeater. You can usually find him helping out with The Plano Balloon Festival, Bike MS: Sam’s Club Round-Up Ride, the Dallas Marathon, the Blacklands Triathlon, The Plano Christmas Parade, and many other events during the year. He also is active in the Rapid Deployment, Communications Assist Group (RDCAG) to provide Winlink email service.
Charlie Taylor, K5USS
Charlie Taylor has been a licensed amateur for 8 years and holds an Extra class license. His favorite activities are contesting, VHF/UHF weak signal work, and building antennas.