I was born in 1941 and got my advanced licence in 1980. Back then we had to do morse code for the exam. After that I didn't do very much CW, however, I have recently got back into it and I am plugging along at 13 wpm. So, If I have a qso with you, thanks for your patience. I practice as often as I can so things will hopefully improve.

My rig is an icom 718 and the antenna is a 4 element tribander. I also have an L-7 Drake amp. Nothing fancy in my shack, but it suits my needs and budget.

Vancouver is a coastal city and major seaport located in the Lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The population of greater Vancouver is 2.2 million people. Vancouver is ethically diverse, with 52% of city residents and 43% of residents of Metro Vancouver having a first language other than English.

Because we live right on the coast, my family and I have done a lot of boating and visited the San Juan and Gulf Islands over the years.We have mild winters, but lots of rain, hence the name "Wet Coast"  :-).

Prior to the 1980's, the economy of Vancouver had traditionally relied on British Columbia's resource sectors: forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture. It has diversified over the past 30 years, however, and today it's second largest industry is tourism, and it has become the third-largest film production centre in North America earning it the nickname "Hollywood North".

Vancouver has the fourth highest quality of living in the world, after Zurich, Vienna and Geneva according to a report by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. In 2007, Vancouver was ranked Canada's second most expensive city to live and the 56th most expensive among 143 major cities in the world making it almost inpossible for our children to live in the same area code as their parents, hi hi.

The 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver and nearby Whisltler, a mountain town 125 km north of the city.