First licensed at age 16 as WN8HBJ in 1970, then WB8HBJ after general class upgrade in 1971. Spent most of my time on 40 meter cw with my J-38 key and crystal transmitter. Then moved up to a Heathkit HW-101 for several years. Took about a 17 year hiatus from the hobby and got back into it in 1994. Upgraded to Advanced and Extra by late 1996. The code came back very quickly, sort of like riding a bike. I have two side-by-side operating positions in the shack. Current 40 thru 10 meter station consists of a FT-1000MP barefoot into a Force 12 C-4, up 50 ft on a freestanding Heights tower. The tower is rated to withstand 110 mph, and I need it with Lake Michigan only two miles to my west. The wind blows a minimum 10 mph all the time, with frequent gusts/storms over 50 mph. I have an extensive ground radial system for it and Polyphaser lightning arrestors in the bulkhead grounding panel in the basement wall. So far, I have weathered many storms with 70+ mph winds and a few nearby lightning strikes, with no apparent damage. If you’d like to know more about my experiences installing the tower and grounding system, send me an email. The 80 thru 160 meter station uses a FT-990 and wire antennas, some off the tower, some in the back yard. Both stations have their own computers for logging and contesting purposes. QRP bug and operating portable caught my fancy soon after getting back into the hobby. Built a Norcal 40A, purchased a used Index Labs QRP+. Spend 90% of operating time on CW, chase dx when time permits, contest three or four times a year; always sweepstakes CW, and field day. Assistant ARES EC in Leelanau county, RACES certified and ARRL VE. FISTS member #2974, QRP-ARCI member #9016, and Mi QRP Club #1608. Have enjoyed reading the FISTS newsletter, The Keynote, for the blind since 1998. Got father in-law and step-son in the hobby, hoping my wife, 3 year old daughter and newborn son (Dec.2001)will get into it, as well! The picture attached has my wife and two year old daughter in the foreground, the house and tower in the back. It was taken during the winter of 2001 on one of our crisp cold snow-filled days. Someday, I'll get brave enough to climb the tower with my 35 mm camera and show you the view of Grand Traverse Bay up there! 73es gd dx!