"HANS" is my nickname.

First licensed as General in May 1966. Upgraded to Amateur Extra in 2004. Former call signs WB2WQC and WB4SMC.

Daughter Cassie W2YBN (formerly KJ4GKP) became a SkyWarn op in summer 2008 and XYL Robin KJ4ANQ passed her Tech in 2007. Father John ex-W2YBN (SK) was active daily on CW from 1947 to 2011. More than 100 years of radio tradition in the family. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Primarily operate HF CW on 40 and 80 meters. SKCC # 1534. Keys are a Signal Electric R-64 brass spark key, a WWII US Navy Flameproof (CMI-26003A straight key), a WWII era bug made by Electric Specialty Mfg Co., my dad's Vibroplex Lightening Bug, and a Vibroplex double lever paddle.

Usual HF output is about 25W with a Ten-Tec Jupiter or vintage Drake twins R-4B & T-4XB. QRP operation with a Heathkit HW-8 at 2 watts. Antenna is a trapped dipole fed with cable TV RG6 and tuned with the old Drake MN4 matching network.

VHF/UHF emergency rig for SkyWarn or ARESis an Alinco 605 and a Larson 2m/70cm mobile mounted on a sheet of aluminum.

Retired early (4Q 2003) and busy enjoying life. Hobbies include home repairs, woodworking for cabinetry and furniture, light machine shop, dry-stack stone walls, yard and woods maintenance, veggie gardening, and the occasional motorcycle trip on my Harley Springer.

Spent 2006 /7 /8 renovating a house for my daughter while I tutored her in calculus and physics. She completed her second BS degree May 2011 in meteorology at NCSU, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

XYL keeps my priorities aligned. She is an avid quilter, a Wake County Master Gardener, and a Senior Judge in the American Orchid Society.

I'm often found taste-testing whisk(e)y, sampling my XYL's wine collection, or salvaging beers that seem to have loose caps (hi).

Good Health, Long life !

- 73 - Hans

PS - current station shown below (image from paper QSL card)