Mostly CW but if you hear me on SSB its because I fell asleep on the mic listening to SSB.

Kenwood TS-570D, Henry 3K Classic, 3 Element Steppir wid the 40/30 dipole, a Begali magnetic paddle, a Vibroplex lightning champ bug and a 1944 Navy Hand Key.

I'm a Retired Marine Helicopter Mechanic from 82-03. I really enjoyed my active duty days and traveling on those carriers all over the Pacific for my helicopters and would jump right back on those yellow foot prints in a heart beat if I had to do it all over again.

Retirement life didn t last to long fer me. The XYL handed me a "Honey do list" after about 6 weeks of some R&R and it came to a grinding/SCREECHING halt when it said to plant flowers,,, A US Retired Marine planting flowers,,, yea right! I politely handed back that silly list and had a job about 2 days later with the local Police Helicopter Dept. It was here where I had to get my HAM license.

The Police Helicopter was doing some experimentation with some SSTV equipment and the Air DIV. Capt. said I needed my HAM License to continue working on the Helicopter. So with some local help, I got my first license. After that I got the bug and upgraded to General. I quickly jumped to HF SSB and after about 1 month of that jibberish and falling asleep at my desk, I pulled out my Navy straight key again and never looked back at SSB.

I am now working for an EMS Helicopter company called Mercy Air and still turning wrenches on Helicopters for a living, to help pay for my toys, HI!

So,,, now I'm enjoying CW and using a bug and if you hear me on the Begali,,, its becuz I'm feeling a lil lazy.

And Last, a BIG TNX to my friend, W6IML, for getting me hooked on CW!

Semper Fi

Bill Vargas KG6VPU

ARRL A-1 OP