Technician license DEC 2003. General license OCT 2004.

Equipment: 1. Ten Tec 538AT Jupiter transceiver. 2. 95-foot wire from 1st floor window to tree then up tree 20 feet. (neighborhood restrictions on outdoor antennas). Wire undone/coiled/hung on tree after each use. 2(a). Home brew gnd-mtd vert adapted from the PAC-12 concept. Four 15-foot radials, 3 one-foot sections of aluminum rod 3/8 dia, theaded on each end, some PVC pieces drilled/epoxied, etc., a 20m coil, topped with a 72" telescopic whip. Toss it in a piercing in the GND for each use/take down & throw under the futon when done.

Currently mostly HF radio CW, pounding along at about 10-12 WPM. Very much enjoying it.

Currently the "radio shack" = shelf next to sewing maching downstairs room.

Much TNX to Glenn Hochwalt, W8AK, who lent me his Atlas 210X for 6 months right after I got general ticket. This opportunity allowed me to get going on HF including CW, plus gave me time to have QSO discussions with other OPS ABT rigs before I bought my own rig. Also enjoying use of his UHF RPTR (IRLP node #4523) which serves the Dayton area.

Big TNX to Steve Reed, KB8STB, who recruited me to ham radio in the first place.

Most of all a VFB TNX to my wife Darla, who tolerates my daily working on the rig for a little stress relief after work or before retiring for the day!

Happy Trails. Richard, KC8YTV.