W2GD John Crovelli

Team: Team 59 – Sponsored Team

Age: 64 (Celebrating year 65 on July 10th at WRTC2014)

Occupation: Self-Employed – design, build and maintain amateur radio stations

I grew up in a small rural NJ town. Amateur Radio offered a way to directly observe the rest of the world before we had such things as dial telephones, satellite communications, and the Internet. My first contest was the ARRL Field Day some 55 years ago – and like many of my peers I was instantly hooked on contesting. Within months I earned my first ham license at age ten, and since then ham radio and contesting have played a major role in my life experience.

First came domestic contesting where I learned the basic skills through practice and more practice. Winning the ARRL SS CW from my home station in 1978 remains one of my cherished accomplishments. Then it was the magic of multi-op contesting on 160 meters, a passion that continues today. DXpeditions and operating DX contests from outside of the US has been my prime interest for the past three decades, particularly from my station on Aruba. I’ve been most fortunate to enjoy a variety of successes in contesting, but it’s the lifelong friendships that have been the most special to me. I was selected for membership in the CQ Contest Hall of Fame in 1999.

I am self-employed designing, building and maintaining amateur radio stations for DXers and Contesters worldwide. Previously I enjoyed a 30 year career in management consulting and the satellite communications industries.

I’ve had the opportunity to attend all six prior WRTC events, four of them as a competitor. For me this is the “ultimate” gathering of the finest talent in all of radiosport, and it is an honor to be a part. Looking forward to our special time together this summer.