Kimball Williams

Abstract:  

Often called the 'hobby of a thousand hobbies', Amateur Radio got an early start because radio caught the imagination of young experimenters all over the world.  Many of those experimenters pushed the development of radio through inventions freely shared with others who took the next step, and the next!  Most built equipment from what they could find or salvage and became the first hacker community dedicated to “do it yourself” and 'improve it'.

This program will explore the history of amateur radio, its foundations, and the surprising results of the work of so many who have built a warm and welcoming community that still cherishes and rewards Its inventors and innovators. The program will also cover a few of the thousand hobbies within amateur radio and review the FCC and ARRL licensing process.

Biography:

A USAF vet, Kimball Williams earned his BSEE degree in night school at Lawrence Technological University while raising 5 children with his wife, Mary Lou, working full time at Eaton Research for 26 years to become Principal EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Engineer.  Served 3 years as Principal Designated EMC Engineer for Underwriters Laboratories then 7 years with DENSO as the Senior EMC Engineering Manager, he retired as a “Technical Fellow” from DENSO in February of 2012.  

First licensed as an amateur radio operator in 1958 as KN8IVE in Grand Rapids, Michigan and earned his General Class license in Kalamazoo.  The family moved to Georgia so the call changed to W4EAP.  Served in the Air Force and separated in Michigan as N8FNC.  Upgraded to Extra Class in 2018.  Currently a member of ARRL, and a life member of the Motor City Radio Club and the Long Island CW Club …among others.   

He is an iNARTE (RAB/QSA) certified Master EMC Design Engineer and a 'Fellow' of the Engineering Society of Detroit.  He is an ‘Honored Member’ of the IEEE EMC Society Board of Directors and the Society past President and serves as the EMC-Society Director of PACE Activities since 2012. 

Kimball is currently an IEEE Senior Life Member and a member of 7 IEEE Societies and the Standards Association where he Chair's the IEEE Standards Work Group on Statistical Process Control.  Currently serves as the Section Information Management Coordinator.  

Kim is a licensed private pilot, PADDY certified scuba diver, licensed Amateur Radio operator (Extra Class - Call sign: N8FNC).  He keeps ‘busy’ teaching Morse code (CW) and STEM classes and plays classical guitar in his ‘spare’ time

Email: k.williams@ieee.org

Address:Dearborn, Michigan, United States