Morse code always interested me and I learned it while in the seventh grade.  Never did anything with it until I met a friend in school with the same interest.  We studied together and became licensed Novices in 1969.  My call was WN8CQU.  It wasn’t long after that I upgraded and became WB8CQU and then W8CQU in February of 2010 only because it was easier to send and faster to say phonetically while still keeping my identity.

I have been active on and off over the years on HF, VHF and UHF.  I own a Drake TR7 that I have used exclusively for almost 30 years, a Heath SB-200 amp used with it occasionally, a Drake R-4A/T-4X and a Heath HW-101.  I operate mostly CW but can do SSB and the digital modes.  I’m also active on 2-meters.  At the Dayton Hamvention 2011,I purchased a Flex 3000 as a retirement gift to myself.  I officially retired from Ohio Edison (a First Energy Co.) where I worked as a Relay Tester for over 33 years. The Flex is a joy to use and I’m having a lot of fun with it on both CW and SSB.  Hope to work you on the bands.

73 for now, Paul W8CQU.

I am Temporarily using an Icom IC-706 at 100 watts on my 3 element Mosely Mini-33a due to an accident that does not allow me access to my radio room in the basement. One of my best friends, Ken K8TV, loaned me this rig and set things up for me upstairs so I could try and stay active. Hopefully, and God willing, I will be back downstairs in a few weeks and back to my own equipment. Paul