I received my Technician ticket in July of 2009 and just upgraded to General in October 2010.

I started because I am an RVer and a CB was not cutting it communicating with other people that we travel with. One of them was a ham and he pressed  hard to get a Tech license so we could use 2 meters while traveling and to make meeting in the woods easier. Then at my employer there is an amateur radio employee group, so I joined. They sparkIed my interest in HF, contesting, Field Day and emergency operations, so I have upgraded to General.

Now, I am president of the group and spend most of the time chasing special event wallpaper and trying to do Worked All States. I am lucky, my bride of 25 years looks forward to getting QSL cards as much as I do, but she will not get on the radio, it is my hobby, scrapbooking is hers.  She will listen when I have the speaker on and ask 'where are they at'.  Maybe some day.

See the group station at K7DPS, the employee amateur radio group of Arizona Department of Public Safety, which among other duties, is the home of Arizona Highway Patrol,

I am also a member of the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club.