I was originally licensed as WN8DGX in 1969, but unfortunately I never increased my code speed enough to upgrade to general during the non-renewable two year time-frame that was allowed for novices at that time. However, a number of years later when the rules changed I then became a novice again in 1991 as KB8LWO and a few years later got my code speed up and finally recieved my general class license!

When I move to Illinois in 1996, I didn't want to retain an "8" call, so I had the FCC issue a new call which was KB9OOK. However, I was never really crazy about having a call end in the letter "K", especially when working CW, as in "CQ CQ DE KB9OOK K". So in 2008, I finally applied for a vanity call sign that had elements of all my previous call signs, specifically the "W" from my first call, the "B9" from my third call, and the "LWO" from my second call, resulting in WB9LWO.

I started out on 40 meter CW, and still like it today. I also work SSB on 40 meters along with 20 and 15 meter CW and SSB. One of my first rigs was a Heathkit DX-60B, which I built around 1970 and I still have it. As a result, I still like to build kits on occasion, such as OHR, and like to operate QRP as I did during Field Day 2008.