First licensed at age 11 in 1954 as a Novice with call KN6ELQ in Glendale, CA. My Elmer was W6STA, a neighbor.

Went through Technician, General, Advanced and now hold an Extra Class with current call. I did it the "old" way where code was a requirement and you had to draw schematics. Those were the good old days!

Ham radio led to a BSEE (Electronic Engineering) degree and after 47 years working in the industry I finally retired in October 2012.

I started on 40 meters CW with a home brew 6L6 osc/amp transmitter and a Halicrafters S-20R receiver. My first commercial transmitter was a Heathkit AT-1, which was basically the same as my home brew but in a pretty box. Next came a Heathkit DX-100 and SB-10 SSB adapter with a Hammerlund Super Pro (BC-779B) receiver. These were followed by a string of Heathkits ending with a SB-104 with all the accessory boxes and a SB-230 amplifier. My first modern non-kit radio was a Kenwood TS-820S followed by an Icom IC-701 with a Henry 2KD5 amplifier. Then came the IC-751, 751A and 781. Those were the HF radios. There were a bunch of VHF/UHF radios too, ending with a Icom IC-970H and R-9000. Today I have thinned it out to just two boxes, an Icom IC-7800 and Alpha 9500 amplifier, and two antennas, a modified Tennadyne T-10 log yagi (pictured above) and a 40 meter half-sloper attached at the tower 38-foot level. I operate 100% CW and at present can be found on the low end of 40 through 10 meters (no 30 metersyet). I am also active in SKCC with number 10250T and can be found on the same bands but up a bit higher in frequency. Near term plans are to add some more wire antennas for 30 and 80 meters to get me on the lower bands.

When not hamming my other main interest is motorcycles. I've been riding for 43 years and at present I am down to two bikes, both BMWs, a 2013 R1200GSW and a 2012 K1600GT. At last count I've had 30 bikes, the last 18 being BMWs. I haven't had a car for almost ten years. Don't need one--it never rains in California--much!

73,

Tony - K6ELQ