Back into ham radio after a 30 year hiatus, I got my General ticket in Dec. '05 and had my first QSO Jan. 10, 2006 on 40m with the Hawaii Afternoon Net. Up-graded to Extra class in Aug., 2006.  My dad piqued my interest in ham radio many years ago when he called me out to his shack to hear Sputnik pass overhead on an old Hallicrafters SX-28A with the gauges all aglow. Later, a high-school buddy built a Heathkit Mohican and collected QSL cards from all over the world as an SWL'er.  At the time, all the exotic mail with colorful stamps he received was exciting.  With these seeds planted, I got my novice ticket, WB6BLG, in the mid-70's and operated CW on ground-wave 80m in the San Diego area for only about two years. In the late 70's my career as a geologist took most of my time and I let ham radio slide. I retired from geology in 1996. Today, my xyl and I live in sunny, leeward, south Maui.

These days, I operate primarily on HF, 10m - 80m. When at home, I set aside some time each day to get on the air and at least get a feel for the band conditions. Currently, my favorite set-up is the Icom 775DSP and QRO 2500DX amplifier.   I like the heft of the late '90's - early 2000's rigs, so I am also enjoying a Yaesu 1000D and Kenwood 950SDX.  (I analogize that era, and radios from that period, to the muscle car era of the late 60's - early 70's.) Currently I have three antennas: a 3 element Steppir at about 20m, a 6 element Wilson SY36 triband at 15m and soon, a 144' Cobra Ultralite centerfed wire at 20m to the NE-SW for 75m. 

The jury is still out on cycle 24.but still having fun.   I enjoy rag-chewing, talking to the young folk next generation hams, and the DX chase. I am also a regular each day on the "ohana net" on 20m.   My greatest fascination from the ham radio experience is it's ability (as a tool) to augment our understanding of the earth's geomagnetic field and the sun's helio-electromagnetic field. 

In the near future looking to go mobile w. my Yaesu FT-847, Smartcube amp, and Hi-Q antenna from my old restored '69 Toyota FJ-40. BTW, based on the QSO's I've had so far, I'm enthusiatic for the future of  ham radio.  Like them or not, new innovations such as  remote operations and SDR equipment are helping to keep radio vital and current. Also, please visit my online photo album.  I try to keep the album updated with ham relevant photos, as well as various and sundry photos of other interests.  www.picasaweb.google.com/mauioceanradio. 

73 and aloha to all.