This week our spotlight is on Billy Palmer, W4WJP, one of our newest ARMS members, who joined in January of 2006. Billy was first licensed as an amateur radio operator in 1992 with a Technician Class license. He currently holds a General Class license. Previous call signs include KD6IJU, N6WJP, K7WJP, K4SCV, and W4AMG.

In addition to ARMS, Billy's ham radio interests include digital communications and voice on HF, VHF, and UHF. He's a member of Army MARS (AAR4WE) and is the Communication Chief for the 402nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, Alabama State Defense Force. His station includes an Icom IC-718 transceiver, a G5RV antenna, an MFJ sound card TNC, and an Icom IC-208H transceiver for VHF/UHF. You can check out his ham radio Web site at www.freewebs.com/w4wjp.html.

In addition to ARMS, Billy's ham radio interests include digital communications and voice on HF, VHF, and UHF. His station includes an Icom IC-718 transceiver, a G5RV antenna, a KAN XL TNC, and an Icom IC-208H transceiver for VHF/UHF. He is in the process of putting together a "mobile deployable" EmComm station with his Chevy 4X4 pickup with "self-sustainability" for seven to ten days with HF/VHF/UHF voice and digital modes on board. He is also active with EmComm and the local American Red Cross as a "deployable radio station." He is the local county ARES EC and helps others improve and grow in EmComm operations.

Billy is a "retired" disabled veteran and served seventeen months of Vietnam duty from January 1967 to December 1971. He active with local Church of Christ congregations as a preacher and teacher. His ministry is to the needs of those forgotten by the Church, and the "lost" in the Church.

He cites Matthew 25:42-46 as his favorites Bible verses. "'For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

[ POSTED ON 05-MAR-2006, REVISED 08-FEB-2007 ]