I was born on May 24, 1957 in the US Military Hospital Aufredi in La Rochelle, France. I grew up in the small town of l’Houmeau near La Rochelle then in 1970 moved in the family property, the “Chateau du Treuil Bussac”, in Fouras , south of the city of Rochefort.
I graduated from college in Rochefort, then went to study photography in the city of Toulouse. in 1978, I was drafted for military service in the French Army, served first in a small Inter-Army unit (Air Force, Marine, Infanterie, Gendarmerie) then was transferred to the 22 Regiment d’Infanterie de Marine (formerly called 22 Regiment d’Infanterie Coloniale) as a military photographer.
From 1971 to 1976 I spent my summer vacation in the US, mostly in Florida (once in California). I married in 1978 had a daughter in 1980 and moved to the Florida in December of 1981. I first opened a photography studio near Ormond Beach which I operated for few years, then in 1984 opened a French Bakery in Ormond Beach which I still own and operate today. My wife and I had a son in 2002.
In 1992 I began getting involved in politics in the US. My involvement pretty much started over environmental concerns but it quickly turned political – Politic is a long tradition in my family dating back to the 1600’s. I have run dozens of campaigns in partisan and non-partisan races and even though I have announced my (temporary) retirement from politics, I frequently get requests for advice from candidates for local, state and federal offices.
I have served on the Quality of Life Board, served as Chairman of the Airport Advisory Board and served 17 years on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Ormond Beach. In 2016 I announced that I would take a break from politics and public service so I could have more time with my son and spend more time playing with my toys.
While not involved as much as I use to, I still advise few political campaigns when my help is requested.
Beside radio amateur, I enjoy flying drones, fishing with my son and surf kayaking. I hold a private pilot certificate since 1989, I am a Public Notary and a Certified Food Safety Manager. I hold an HVAC Technician Certificate under the EPA Clean Air Act Section 609 and an HVAC Technician Certificate under the EPA Clean Air Act Section 608 which means I can work on vehicle air conditioner and refrigeration and air conditioner equipment. This said, I only repair my own equipment.
My interest in radio started in my late teens when CB started showing up in my native country of France. The government crackdown on the use of illegal CB’s was rather aggressive and led to a massive protest, of which I took part at the Le Mans racetrack. While the use of CB was still prohibited for few years after to protest took place, I begin transmitting in the upper 27.000 band in USB and collected QSL from pretty much all over the world.
I gave up the hobby when I left France in December of 1981 and relocated in the U.S. – What brought me back to HF radio was a new hobby… in 2014 I begun flying drones equipped with telemetry and video transmitter. Figured I would get my Tech ticket so I would be in the clear for the higher power I needed. Passed the Tech exam and, just for fun, bought a cheap Baofeng 2-meter, 70-centimeter handheld radio but the ham bug got the best of me and 2 meters was simply not enough. So I bought an old Yaesu FT-840 on eBay for $400 which led me to get my General License a few days later. The very next day I got my ticket, I built a 40-meter dipole and made my first contact with Ukraine with 10 minutes. I was hooked again.
Until May 2, 2017, I operated under the call sign KM4IAW. I applied for and on May 2, 2017, was granted the calls sign N2FLA.
I currently operate using a Yaesu FT991A and my FT857D is now acting as a backup radio but I plan on using it for mobile/portable operation. I still have my Yaesu FT-840 radio which I have not used in few years. for the FT857D and FT840 I have an LDG auto tuner, and a signalink USB (one for each radio for Digital Communications. and an HP laptop with Windows 10 and HDR.
I currently reside in a condo subject to strict HOA regulation. So, it poses a challenge and most of my contact these days are made with MFJ dipole hamstick (20, 30 & 40 meters) mounted on a painters pole and an MFJ 2100 Octopus connector less than few feets from aluminum gutters. It take minor movement to achieve a low SWR.
I also own a MFJ236B loop tuner and use it sometime when take my station to the beach. There, I make my best contact with as low as 5 watts.
Besides building a multi-band attic dipole I have no plan make major changes to my station. I like the challenge of reaching out far with modest means.
Since I’m kind of self-taught, I greatly appreciate critics.
I log all QSO on QRZ.com, eQSL, Club Log and soon LoTW.
My other hobbies are fishing, surf-kayaking, flying airplanes (not done that for few years) and flying drones.
I reside in the Trails subdivision in the beautiful city of Ormond Beach, Florida, 7 miles south of Daytona Beach home of NASCAR and Bike Week.