Hi! I am Drew Vonada-Smith, K3PA.

I was raised in Levittown, PA, a working class suburb of Philadelphia.

I received my amateur radio license as WN3SXU in 1972 at the age of 12, and upgraded to WA3SXU a year later. I received my extra class license and became K3PA in 1975.

In 2000, I met the love of my life, Denette, and moved to Kansas. I’ve grown to love the heartland. Denette is a true Kansas farm girl, and together we try to be stewards of the land for our 20 acres in Tonganoxie, KS, near Kansas City.

I have had an interesting career as an Electrical Engineer, specializing in analog, digital, and RF design. My most rewarding work was the last ten years, when I was part of a team designing life-saving medical devices to to treat a wide range of illnesses, including heart and lung problems, as well as cancer treatment. I retired in 2024.

I am a very active ham, on both CW, voice, and digital modes, on 160 Meters through VHF/UHF. I particularly love DXing and contest operation. I hold DXCC Honor Roll on CW and SSB modes, as well as 5 Band WAZ. I am proud to be a three time qualifier for the World Team Radiosport Championship, the international radiosport “Olympics”, recently held in the UK this July.

I am a member and current President of the Kansas City Contest Club. I am also a member of FOC (First Class CW Operators Club), A-1 Ops, and the Frankford Radio Club. And of course, I am a Lifetime Member of ARRL.

I believe in change when it is needed. And I’m not afraid to dig in and do the work. Most importantly, I listen. If you feel me worthy, I’d like to be your next Midwest Division Director.