As time goes on, many amateur radio operators quietly enjoy the hobby while maintaining a low profile. Dennis is one such operator.
A member of the Public Service Group since its inception, Dennis has been a steadfast and dependable presence. Although he has spent less time pursuing rare DX contacts in recent years, he can always be counted on to step forward whenever and wherever there is an unmet need. Whether serving behind the scenes or taking on a leadership role, Dennis is always ready and willing to help in whatever capacity is required.
Dennis’s interest in radio communications began with his father, who served as a U.S. Navy radio operator aboard the USS San Francisco during World War II. From an early age, his father taught him to hunt, fish, camp, and the finer points of Morse code, which at the time was the primary means of both long- and short-distance military communications, alongside other classified codes and ciphers.
As the years passed, Dennis developed lasting friendships within the amateur radio community.
He became especially close to Dan Metrick, WA3GDS, who would eventually serve as his
Elmer, or amateur radio mentor. He also formed a strong friendship with Ron Dambaugh, KA3WIK, with whom he frequently enjoyed camping trips that combined their shared love of the outdoors and amateur radio.
Today, as far as HF goes, seems like it’s taken a back seat to local communication activities. Other than the 3- element beam in the back-yard. Most of his HF gear is still packed up from Field Day activities 3 years ago!
Like many radio enthusiasts, Dennis began his communications adventure experimenting with Citizen’s Band (CB) Radio. Guided by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to see just how far his voice could travel, his skills grew rapidly. Along the way, he partnered with “his mentor”, Dan (GDS), soaking up an incredible wealth of knowledge that helped push his abilities to the next level.
Dennis earned his Novice Ham Operator license during an era when mastering Morse code was a strict badge of honor. He didn’t stop there; by the mid-1990s, he successfully captured his General Ticket, unlocking a whole new spectrum of global frequencies.
If you want to know what true ingenuity looks like, you only need look at Dennis’s favorite radio log entries. During one camping adventure with his friend Ron (WIK), Dennis proved that you don’t need massive, expensive equipment to achieve impressive results.
Sitting at the campground, the duo tuned a tiny, Ten Tec Scout, 5-watt transceiver attached to a basic magnetic vehicle antenna. Suddenly, a massive signal blared through the speaker from an operator across the Atlantic. Dennis responded, and to everyone’s amazement, the station immediately answered back.
The operator on the other end was broadcasting with maximum legal power out of Austria. He was absolutely stunned to learn that he was hearing a 5-9 signal from the pair who were sitting in the country running on nothing but 5 watts and a car antenna! It is a legendary moment that perfectly captured the ability to achieve incredible reach with minimal equipment.
Over the years, his logs have captured other remarkable contacts including; chatting directly with Olympic Kayakers in France and Navigating a successful contact with a station in Antarctica.
From humble beginnings to global breakthroughs, Dennis reminds us all that curiosity, paired with a desire to learn, can take us anywhere.
While Dennis has connected with the farthest corners of the globe, his true passion lies closer to home. For Dennis, it seems like high-frequency signal chasing has now taken a back seat to local communication and community activities. Whether he is talking to locals or gearing up for an emergency communication event, his passion is keeping people connected when it matters most.
Regarding community service initiatives, Dennis has been a consistent participant in vital annual events. His operational deployments include the Teal College Walk-a-thon (Greenville to Butler) in support of Children’s Hospital, the two-day MS 150 (Pittsburgh to Meadville and Meadville to Erie), and the Penn Township Airshows.
An active member of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) since the mid1980s, Dennis has supported numerous annual operations and emergency deployments across western Pennsylvania counties. His Emergency Management call-outs are extensive, including direct communication support for local American Red Cross initiatives and exercises during their tenure in Butler. Furthermore, he successfully established auxiliary communications during a major telephone outage in the City of Butler. Most notably, he served with distinction as Net Control during a critical large-scale oil spill response on the Allegheny River.
Dennis remains a vital resource and foundational pillar of the Butler County Amateur Radio Public Service Group (PSG). As a Charter Member, his leadership spans 34 years of dedicated service on the Executive Board, including nine years as Director, seven years as Treasurer, and four years as Vice President. His administrative and operational contributions have been monumental. It is highly probable that our organization would not have survived its critical formative years without his steadfast leadership and dedication.