I have been a ham for about 40 years and have had the following call signs:

KA1HPV

KB1QK

W1RTS

KB1K

My QTH is Boca Raton, FL (East Coast-South FL) which is between Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach (Palm Beach County) from December 1 to mid-May and the balance of the year in the Boston, MA area in the town of Easton (Bristol County) located between Boston and Providence, RI and about 30 minutes from downtown Boston

My activity is on HF SSB and enjoy DX, "rag chewing", and participation in the Inter-Continental and Maritime Mobile Service Nets on 20 meters. The thrill to work a DX station is always present."Rag chewing" has been enjoyable because itprovides an opportunity to get to know the other ham and goes beyond a quick 5x9 QSO.

My involvement with the Nets over the years has been very gratifying since it has enabled me to provide two-way phone patch communications to lonely mariners, deployed military, and missionaries. Also, as a Net Member, I am part of a professional communications team that has been very effective providing emergency communications to mariners on the high seas as well as assisting in the many land disasters that have impacted not only the US but also other parts of the world.

My equipment:

EASTON, MA

Yaesu FT-2000 w/Heil PR-30 mike, Yaesu Quadra Solid State AMP w/Tuner (1200W), HEX BEAM (40 feet) on a Rohn 25G Tower, free standing.Rotor is Yaesu G-800DXA

BOCA RATON, FL

Yaesu FT-1000, Ameritron Solid State AMP (600W) with LDG Auto Tuner, MFJ Vertical (ground mounted) up 22 feet

As a result of my business and personal travel, I have been able to add a dimension to the hobby by meeting many of the hams with whom I have had QSO's. This has been fun! Ham radio for me has truly been an opportunity to share fellowship around the world.

During my business career, I was associated with Carol Cable Company (Pawtucket, RI) for 25 years as its Sr. VP of Sales/Marketing until the firm was sold in 1990. We produced industrial wire and cable, extension cords, automotive after market products, and electronic cables. Since 1990, I have been involved with a buying/marketing group for electrical distributors until that company was sold and currently associated with a similar business related to plumbing products.

If you have the opportunity to be in my area, send me an email so we can meet as my wife and I always enjoy sharing our local area and hospitality.

73

BOB