Well, I made it back on the air.  No more QRT after ten years!!!!!!!  The old CW fist is not so hot but neither is the propagation.  But it is good to be back.  I am running a Yaesu FT 450.  Despite the poor propagation, we still manage to have a pleasant QSO every now and  then.

I got my first ticket in 1958, KN8VOP in Livonia, Michigan, and got the general about a year later.  You had to go to the FCC office in Detroit.   I almost flunked the sending part of the test cuz I was a little  nervous.....The examiner had me send some text out of the bible.  However, we did pass the exam.  I think I was about 13 yrs old.  I never understood any of those theory questions.  I just memorized the answers out of the test manuals.  I think I can still draw a Colpitts Oscillator......

My elmer was Milton Ludwig, God rest his soul, W8UWO, as he is now a silent key.  My partner in crime at the young age of 14 through 16 was John Welch KN8PJX , who is now K8PX.

First rig was a Heathkit DX-40, xtal controlled with an ft 243, J-38 key, the receiver was a Hallicrafters S-108 with a Heathkit Q Multiplier for some selectivity.  The band spread string was loose and slipped a lot.  The sky hook was a 15 meter dipole at a whopping twenty (20) feet.  I had it "made in the shade".  The 6146 final ran about 70 watts.  The rig is still in good shape and functioning well, thanks to W8TR, Terry Rybak, the operator who got it back in 1961.  I took the money and got  a 49 Desoto and a date with Mary Ann.  I am sure you know the rest of the story.

My very first qso over the air was not so legal.  I and another friend got  hold of some old ignition coils for very early model cars and connected 9 volt batteries in series with an army surplus J38 key and a wire about 50 ft. long.  This worked well for about 200 ft using an a.m radio for a receiver.  The tone quality was horrible but we could make a 9 volt last about an hour......... Back in the late 50's this arrangement really caused some serious TVI.........

Well, we are plagued with landlord/antenna problems now.....No antennas......

I have been using a DCTL (Distributed Capacitance Twist Loop).  The antenna is constructed totally out of 300 ohm TV flatline twin lead, hence, it is inexspensive.  It does require a balanced line tuner though.  It is a small loop (40m is 15 ft in circumference) I have been using it indoors with some rather surprising success.  These things really work.  I have one on 80 meters (32 ft or 8 ft per leg).  Signal reports are not spectacular but at least they hear me.  If you are interested just Type DCTL Antenna in a search engine and follow the links.  I have a 30 meter ham stick which I sneak on the roof also....It seems to do a fair job considering the conditions as of late....

Here is a list of my calls: KN8VOP, K8VOP, WB8YPC, N8CUW, AA9FZ  and last, but not least, K9DP

73's to all, DAN, K9DP