Started as a BC SWL facinated by hearing programmes from distant countries and became interested in ham radio after finding stations on 20 and 40 metres. First licensed in 1965, I soon found I could work more on cw than am, with home built low power tx's. Eventually I did not build the modulator stages. 10 years on, got my first HF ssb transceiver, but by then the cw mould had set and a few years later went back to a separate tx and rx, in a cw only station. These days, with modern transceivers, the cw filters & accessories still take priority and it has only been in recent years that I have added a desk microphone. Have spent times specialising on 10m fm, 2m ssb and packet, but prefer 160-6m cw. Currently, with a shortage of shack time, I am mainly active during contests to maximise brief operating sessions. I can usually be found on cw during HF events, but sometimes plug in a microphone for VHF & UHF activity night contests. Have been active during past holiday and business trips from CT7, EA6, EA7, EA8, EI, F, GD, GJ, GM, GU, GW, IK0&8, ON, OY, OZ, SV5, ZB2, 5B and 9H. Also licenced in the family are Don G4ABI & 5B4AGQ and Tony G4WLF. Member RSGB and CDXC. 73 de Steve.