I have been a ham for about 39 years. I enjoy working CW. I joined FISTS Club (#7986) and had a lot of fun with it (www.fists.org).

I have also joined the 3905 CCN Club. It is a DX and WAS club. Have brushed off my mic and made many new friends on SSB, CW and also 160 M. Also, because of the 3905 CCN Club, I have ventured into the world of digital. What fun on such low power (www.3905ccn.com).

Been active on Straight Key Century Club (www.skccgroup.com), using my 1958 Vibroplex bug and straight hand keys.  My SKCC number is #5169T.  Dusted off my HW-8 which I built in 1975, and have been working the 80/40/20m bands with 1 Watt out qrp.

My grandfather was W9GHX and when I was a novice I used his old gear. I only had xtals for 80m and 40m CW (3). I still have some of his equipment and occasionally I am on the air working CW on the 80 and 40-meter bands.

See his club information @ http://www.qrz.com/db/ W9GHX.

If anyone has an old QSL card from him I would liketo have it or a copy of it.

My current rig is a Icom IC-756-Pro III and am using a Gap Titan vertical antenna on a roof mount or a 80m dipole up 55 feet. I also have a 160m inverted L and just built a vertical quad for 20/17/15/12 and 10m.  I have it hanging from a large oak tree at 30 feet.  I have a Yaesu FT-100D which I use mobile and a QRP Heathkit HW-8 which I enjoy operating portable or fixed.

I recently have become disabled (2007 time flys) and I am now confined to a wheel chair. If I am a little slow on the mike or a little sloppy on the key, I am sorry, pedaling as fast as I can with one hand hi hi. My how life can change so quickly. Always remember to enjoy life every day and live it daily to its fullest.

I am a registered civil engineer by profession, but currently I am not working. I also am a CFII flight instructor and teach private, instrument and commercial ground school.

I try and QSL 100% as I enjoy collecting cards from all over.

73"s

Ray