My first license was WA5LUM in 1965. I was still in high school. Back then ten meters was open, and lots of A.M. was still around. Lots of characters from all around the world.

I got the amateur advanced and second class radio telephone shortly thereafter. When incentive licensing was started I got the extra. When the N block was opened I requested N5 . . - - . . ? U D.

I have done DX chasing and contesting. I have built most of my antennas. Some transmitters and amps. Also many extra gadgets. Converted commercial radios to ham for packet etc. When the DX oscars were popular, worked a lot of satellite radio. I have always liked 40 meters CW and phone. Also 6 meters. It is a thrill to work 10 meter long path to middle east when the JA's and VK's have faded out. Sure not much of that lately.

Recently I have taken up HF mobile from the pickup truck. What a challenge as compared to high gain yagis up high.

I have added a few more DXCC countries in 2012. Now up to 286 or so worked mobile since January 2011.

In 2011 I worked all 40 zones and 244 countries 100 watt mobile. That was from Texas, which does not get the DX the east coast or Gulf coast does.

Working DX mobile has gotten a bit easier since I added a SGC 500 amp in January, 2012. I still miss some like HV and VK9X yet again, plus Mount Athos.

If looking for US counties, I operate most frequently from Gregg, Harrison, and Marion Texas.

73 and hope we can QSO Tony

A one-of-a-kind International Boundary Marker, established in 1841, 
has been highlighted recently by the American Society of Civil 
Engineers.  The first joint project of landmark dedication by both 
Texas and Louisiana Civil Engineers was the boundary marker between 
the REPUBLIC OF TEXAS and the UNITED STATES, at the state line on 
Texas Farm to Market road 3l.

The marker, a granite shaft some ten feet long and nine inches sguare, 
was prepared and dated in 1840; but the difficult journey up the 
Sabine River was not completed through the swamps until the spring of 
1841.  The joint Engineering Commission from the United States and 
Republic of Texas was led by W.J. Stone, who was charged by the 
President of the United States to "Complete the task with all due speed 
and accuracy."

The granite shaft was sunk in a concrete foundation five feet deep.  On 
the South side of the shaft was engraved "Meridian Boundary, 
Established A.D., 1840" on the East side, "U.S." and on the West side,  
"R.T."

The story leading up to this marking of a boundary that had been in 
dispute for more than two hundred years is a fascinating one.  Two 
shafts were originally established.  One was on the western bank of 
the Sabine River where the river crossed the 32nd parallel of North 
Latitude; but with the flood waters of time the sandy bank crumbled and 
the shaft was lost in the river.  The remaining marker was set three 
miles North of the river.  From this point, each mile was marked with 
a post and a mound of pertinent information but the posts and mounds 
have long ago been destroyed.