Craig Johnson, AA0ZZ, got his first ham license in 1964 at the age of 14.  He credits ham radio with sparking his interest in electronics and in pointing him toward a career in electrical engineering.  He received a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering in 1971 and later an MBA (1981).  

Craig lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.  His three children are all happily married and bringing grandchildren.

He worked for Unisys for 35 years on the design/development of large, mainframe computers and operating system software but then switched to working with microprocessors professionally - doing hardware as well as software development for microprocessor controlled medical devices and "smart weapons" for the military. Returning to his electrical engineering "roots" was a real joy. He worked for 6 years designing medical devices (infusion pumps) for Smiths Medical. Designed circuits interfacing with microprocessors which controled the pumps. Re-designed circuits to replace obsolete components but still stay in FDA compliance. 

Craig holds seven US patents for his work in computer hardware and software.

With the combination of his engineering and computer experience, Craig loves to explore the overlap between computers and amateur radio that was opened up with the advent of microprocessors.  He developed many projects using microprocessors, especially for frequency synthesis (DDS and PLL) in VFOs.  Now he's experimenting with design/development of various rigs, finally doing "whole rigs" instead of just making VFOs for others.  He greatly enjoys helping others to understand how to use microprocessors in their own projects. 

Craig enjoys CW, Digital modes (especially PSK31), some DXing and some contesting but he is happiest when he is tinkering, building, or experimenting with new designs, circuits and software.  

AA0ZZ 2022