Greetings from the woods in the Michaywe resort community near Gaylord, Michigan U.S.A.

I have been retired since 2001 from an engineering position with an automotive electronics supplier located near Detroit, MI. I was first licensed as an amateur radio operator in 1978, but participate in the hobby only during years of high sunspot activity (good h.f. propagation). I usually build and operate a modest, up to date, h.f. station during the peak of solar cycles and concentrate on other interests, during lulls in the sunspot count. My favorite radio activity involves casual DXing with low power C.W. I also am an advocate of low profile antenna systems that exhibit minimum visual and environmental impact.

For the immediate future I will QSL "direct", only. I like collecting the old fashion "paper" QSLs. They provide the means to show, explain, and promote our hobby to non-amateurs, on a more "direct" level.

My goal during this solar cycle is, to work and confirm 200 DXCC entities using a maximum of 100 watts CW, with my current equipment.

As of: 14 APR 2013--------211 entities(worked), 191 entities (confirmed by paper QSL)

Received (16 JUL 2012) my:

Certificate (MAY 2012) for 100 CW entities confirmed.

My current station consists of the following:

Yaesu FT-950 Tcvr, Yaesu SP-2000 Spkr, Yaesu MD-100ABX Desk Mic, Icom IC-756 Pro III Tcvr. Icom PS-125 Pwr Supply,Sony ICF-2010 Rcvr, MFJ-993B Auto Ant Tuner, Alpha Delta Digital Coax Switch, Jetsteam JTPST30M Pwr Supply, Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe Key, Lionel J-38 Straight Key (Antique), Ambient Weather WS-1171 Weather Station, Dell Studio 1558 Laptop P.C.

Antennas are; Cushcraft R-7000 (40-10M) Vertical, 8ft above ground, G5RV, up 35ft in the trees, and Various Wire antennas up in the trees from time to time.

Some of my other interests and activities include:

Fly Fishing the blue-ribbon trout streams of northern Michigan, Photography, Archeology, Cooking, Enjoying nature and Entertaining the grand children.

.

The Solar Cycle 24 working conditions

One of my other enjoyable activities