Tom hails from Philadelphia and became a ham in 1956 as K1AST. Previous calls have been K1AST, WA4DGM, and EA7BXP. He graduated from Drexel University in 1963 with a BS in business and engineering. He joined the Navy in 1962 and spent 24 years on active duty as a Naval Aviator, flying maritime patrol and logistics transport in Lockheed P-3 and C-130 aircraft. Retiring in 1987 as a Commander, he went to work as a contract pilot doing flight testing at the Navy's Test Center at Patuxent River, MD. He has flown about 15,000 hours, in 46 types of aircraft, and has made 168 Atlantic crossings. Since 2005 Tom has done work on aircraft flight manuals in engineering support and coordination.

Tom holds an Extra Class license and enjoys building gear, building antennas, APRS, digital modes, and good old ragchewing. He has operated portable in TF, IT, G, KG4, KP4, and aero mobile from the P-3 and the C-130. Having a 25000 foot high antenna is wonderful! He is married with four children.