Hello, John here. I have been a ham since 1964. I enjoy all aspects of amateur radio from SSTV to APRS. Local IRLP node 1147. Just made first PSK31 contact June 2008 with K7UQ. All my skiing and hiking friends are hams so we keep in touch in the mountains. They include VE7ECU, VA7ALX, VE7QRZ, VE7CVJ, VE7HLY, VE7RWN and others. On longer trips we take hf and vhf equipment along. I have a FT-817 which is the perfect radio for applications where weight and size is a concern. I carry 22 gauge wire for dipoles. The picture is of the Sentinel Glacier. There are two small cabins in the middle of the picture at 5000 ft. where we stay while skiing and hiking which are classic ham radio locations. In 2003 an avalanche damaged both cabins, this hopefully was the once only in 35 year event. With loads made heavy with the radio gear it takes two day travel to get there. It is always windy so the wind generator works well. We also carry solar panels. My email address refers to the bay below the glacier. Now back to the radio. 73 John