I was first licensed in 1956 as KN6SIK and upgraded in 1959 to General as K6SIK. My first transmitter was a 40/80M 5963 based two tube transmitter made by my dad (KN6SIO). It is shown below and was sold to a museum in 2010. We used a Hallicrafters S-38 receiver with it as a novice.

In 1959, after passingthe General exam I built a DX-40 and VF-1. My dad acquired a Hallicrafters SX-16 made in 1936 to replace the SX-38 (which was deaf and had no selectivity!). Worked a lot of AM with that setup. Cannibilized a lot of old AM radios and TV sets to construct several transmitters and power supplies before upgrading to the DX-40. The SX-16 was the first real receiver and was a great improvement over the 38. the VF-1 wandered all over the band, but was a joy to use compared to the crystals. Had a lot of signal reports, mostly from the neighbors from their phone lines, TV sets and stereos.

After college in the late 60's I ran a Heathkit HW-32a and a Hustler Vertical. Simple setup, but worked a lot of DX with that little box! In the early 70's, I ran the classic Hallicrafters SX-101a and HT-32. Beautiful setup but weighed a ton! They were followed fondly by many Benton Harbor "Green Boxes". Loved building each and every one.

Upgraded to Advanced and finally to Extra Class. Struggled with the code, but finally made it in the 80's.

In the early 80's the Kenwood TS-830S with the External VFO, Tuner and Speaker came along. Lived on a hill and had a KT-34 beam, several slopers, inverted vees as well as a Butternut Vertical. Could switch antennas to null out interference and use the magic of both vertical and horizontal polarization to maximize transmitted and received signals. Added a SB-200 and worked a lot of DX. Using the location, grey line and contests was able to snag 5BWAS, 5BDXCC and 5BWAZ.

Both sons got interested and received their licenses. Mike was KB6CDP and Ed was KB6JOH and N6ZGZ. We spent many a Saturday and Sunday at Ham Radio Flea Markets. Last year even took our grandchild to one.

Worked as a professional engineer doing plant layout, site planning and managed the design and construction of numerous technical and scientific buildings. In the 70's, taught Quantitative Analysis in the evening for Golden Gate University in San Francisco. From the mid 70' to the mid 90's, taught review courses for Professional Engineeringat the University of California at Berkeley.

Am now retired and we live in an antenna restricted environment so spend a little more time traveling, playing golf and playing with the grandchildren than before.

Used to have a Heathkit HW-9 setup for QRP for CW work. Recently sold a highly modified HW-8 that I used for vacationing. I added an internal speaker and an audio amplifier to it. It also sported a nice RIT circuit, lighted dial, working S Meter and other goodies from the old HW Handbook. Enjoy CW and making QRP equipment. A couple are shown below. Not very good at it, but like golf and a few other activities, enjoy it immensely.

Repaired and upgraded a lot of the OHR, TenTec, Rockmite, MFJ and "Altoids" QRP Stations. Spent many enjoyable hours with them. Eyesight is not so good so cannot do the fine soldering anymore. (Hearing also going!!)

Restored the Heath Twins (1680/1681) in 2012. Outstanding equipment. The QSK was amazing in them.

Have been using a Kenwood TS590 but recently acquired an Elecraft K3 with the P3 Panadapter and KPA 500 Amplifier.  It feeds a DX Engineering S-9 Vertical through a LDG AT-600 Tuner.  Constructed a 30 meter phased array under the guidance of the great Bruce Croskey, AH0U. He ruled the airwaves with his phased arrays.  Am working 160 with a loop receiving antenna. Current project is a remotely switched 80/160 coil for the S-9 Vertical.  All antennas blend with the surrounding trees to be inconspicuous. 

Doing a lot of CW and digital work now, especially weak signal work on JT-65 and PSK. About 70% CW and 25% Digital.  Been exploring the WARC bands and finally earned DXCC on 9 bands. Have DXCC Digital, DXCC CW and DXCC Phone. Have 5BWAZ and am working on 8BWAZ. Have also completed 9BWAS, WAS CW, WAS Digital and WAS Phone. Working on getting all awards reconfirmed through LoTW.  Have 7B WAS JT65 all LoTW.  In December of 2016, finally completed DXCC on 160 Meters.  (60 years of pecking away and finally got it...slow, but sure)

Like to fire up the old equipment.  Used the Heath DX-40 with the VF-1 VFO and AR-3 Receiver with the Q-Multiplier for Straight Key Night in 2016.  Tough going as the receiver has no selectivity so was copying multiple signals all the time.   Finally sold the AR-3 and Q Multiplier and upgraded to a Hammarlund HQ-110C with matching speaker.  Use my old Autek QF-1 filter to give it some selectivity.  A lot of fun to operate.

In late 2016, acquired a Heath DX-60B transmitter, HR-10B receiver and HG-10B VFO.  Repaired and have them running.  A nice setup and still use with a half dozen crystals for CW fun. 

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Prefer LOTW, although still collect QSL Cards by the basketful.