I'm a pretty new ham, licensed 2/2009. I've been having a lot of fun exploring the digital modes, especially PSK31, and getting my fist up to speed on CW. I'm also an avid shortwave broadcast-band DXer/SWL. When I'm not playing on the radio, I'm also a distance runner, running anything from 5km races up to marathons. I qualified for and ran in the Boston Marathon in 2008 and the New York City Marathon in 2009 (which is where the photo is from). As a runner, I've got to say THANKS to the hams who run public service relays and coordination for races like these!

Since I don't (yet) have shoeboxes and shoeboxes full of cards, I would love to swap my paper QSL for your paper QSL! I answer 100%, preferably direct, but if you're DX and I haven't already QSLed you the bureau is fine. No need for a SASE, USA or overseas, if you're sending your card first. I am a user of eQSL and LoTW and am happy to swap confirmations on both services too, but nothing beats the old school 'envelope in the mailbox'.

Awards: Not much to brag about yet, but I did earn LoTW Triple Play #272 (WAS Phone-CW-Digital via LoTW) in June 2009. Since I run 100 watts into dipoles in the attic, I literally could not have done it without the fantastic and friendly group of hams at the K3UK Sked Page - http://www.obriensweb.com/sked/ . It was also a great excuse to kick-start my CW learning...

In September of 2009, I worked the magic 100 for DXCC after about 6 months of effort, plus QSOs with a lot of fine DX operators who dug my "little pistol" out of the noise. I'm up to 114 countries now (10/09) and have also hit DXCC on 20 meters. Just waiting for the last few cards to roll in so I can send off my application!

See you on HF!