If you’re reading this we probably had a QSO, so thanks for the contact!

I’ve had my license for just under 5 years and have been working mostly CW from nearly the start. It was tough but rewarding to learn CW -- I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of it! I doubt I’d have ever taken the time to learn CW if it hadn’t been necessary to get my license, but now it’s a big part of my life. So I think it's a shame that the FCC did away with the code requirement -- it's a decision that will cause a lot of new hams to miss out on the best part of the hobby.

I enjoy outdoor activities and often take along a QRP rig and operate from some of the great locations we have here in New Mexico. But my favorite amateur radio activity is just ragchewing on CW. I’ve learned a lot about ham radio in general, and CW in particular, that way.

A note on QSLs. Until recently I had no QSL cards. When the stack of incoming QSLs got big I'd buy some post cards and draw my own cards by hand but, since this took a lot of work, it didn't get done very often. The result -- I have a big stack of unanswered QSLs. The other day I finally got a batch of pre-printed cards and am working through the old incoming QSLs. So, if you sent one a long time ago, bear with me -- a response should show up soon. Meanwhile, I'm answering all new QSLs that come to the house as they arrive. QSLs from the ARRL W5 incoming bureau will be answered via the ARRL outgoing bureau. I don't use LOTW or eQSL.

The picture --

I guess sooner or later everyone's got to post a picture like this. :-) Here's the current setup in my shack.

Rigs --

Ten Tec Corsair with external VFO and 705 mic.

Drake TR7 with external VFO and 7077 mic.

Flex 5000A with Shure SM58 mic and with PowerSDR software running on a dual monitor Dell XPS-410 computer.

Antennas --

3 element SteppIR for 20 and up.

Homebrew 110' CF Zepp for 30 and down.

Paddles -- W9WBL V2L, Brown Bros CTL B, March R3A, Begali Mag Pro.

Straight Keys -- J44, E.F. Johnson Triumph-style

Other Stuff -- Palstar AT300CN tuner for tuning the zepp and for antenna switching. WinKeyer USB or Pico Keyer. DXAtlas software.