Ham since I was 16. I began in the 60’s. Those were AM years,home brew gear with open line feeder, and link transmitter output.

SSB and Pi output were on the news.

 

My first rig was 6L6 AM modulated by 6V6. A “14% antenna” for 40 meters with 300 ohms TV feeder and two 6.3 volts bulbs as forward and reflected pwr indicators. No wattmeter, so never new the pwr output. I guess 10W.

In 1974 built my first SSB transceiver. It was a 40 meters, 250 Watts from a paralleled pair of 6KD6, and Collins 455 mechanical filter.

My first commercial gear was a Kenwood TS520 in 1978.

 

No bureau services for QSL here.