Hi, my name is Craig T. Bailey.   

I’ve been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1994.  Like many hams, during our sophomore year in high school, while we all were getting drivers licenses, of course, we installed citizen band radios!  It didn’t take long before we realized the CB wasn’t really what we were looking for – so we were introduced to Amateur radio, and by Junior year we were licensed Techs.   In ’94 we were still being called “No Code Techs” because the transition into the current technician structure was still fairly new.

I joined the Central NH Radio club, and the club meetings were pretty good, and there were a couple club organized hikes, so the idea of “Summits on the air” has been with me for a long time… albeit not as the formal structured activity that it is today.  Once my buddies and I started leaving for college, we all brought our HTs, and we all intended to stay active, but best-laid plans – you know how it goes.   I still have my trusty Alinco DJ-F1T 2m handheld… it was state of the art with its DTMF pad, and its huge 40 memory slots: it still works, but the battery packs are totally gone…  (I prefer my modern day stable including a Yaesu VX-8DR, FT-2980R, FT-817ND, FT-891, and even an old Yaesu FT-90R.)

In college, I studied classical civil engineering at the University of New Hampshire where I earned a B.Sci in Civil engineering, and then a Professional Masters Degree from the University of Maine in Surveying and Business Management. While at UNH things were just so busy that ham radio had to take a back seat.

My wife and I moved to Nashua in 2000, and and we started our careers and family.  I am a licensed professional engineer (PE – Civil,) and my wife Marcie is also a PE, although she’s a Mechanical Engineer.  I am also a Licensed Land Surveyor, a certified septic designer, and I work for the family surveying and engineering company based in Gilford, NH.  One job is never enough, so for my second job I’m a part-time professor of Civil Engineering Technology at NHTI, Concord’s Community college in Concord NH.  Night classes are the reason you’ll likely not see me at many Club meetings.  I teach structural engineering topics in Steel, Timber, Reinforced concrete, and of course Statics and Strength of Materials.  I also teach AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD 3D, and elementary plane surveying.

I’ve finally joined the Nashua Area Radio Society, and I’m sure glad to be here!  When I’m not on the radio, you’ll probably find me, my wife, and our two daughters (7 and 5) camping somewhere in the RV.  We love camping, and since my upgrade to General, I’ve been bringing the 100-watt radio along for night time operating from the campsite.

When I’m not volunteering for NARS, my first love is with the Boy Scouts of America.  I’ve been a member of the Daniel Webster Council BSA since I was 6 in 1984.  I’m still a member and am currently serving as an Assistant Council Commissioner, assisting the Scoutmasters, Cubmasters, and Venture Crew Leaders put on a great program for New Hampshire’s young boys and girls.

We stay pretty busy, that’s for sure!

Craig, N1SFT