I was almost licensed about 1970, but never got around to it. But finally in 2001 I got my amateur radio license. There are many people to thank for this, and in particular my father, the late Christian Holm, the original holder of the callsign LA3ZA, who helped me in my youth to develop a love for electronics. Also I would like to thank Tore Worren, LA9QL, who always welcomed me in his shack when I was a teenager. 

As a new ham I started with a K2 at 5 Watts and got QRP DXCC with CW only. Later I have achieved CW DXCC via Logbook of the World. It took me 14 years and two solar maxima to get to DXCC on 8 bands with more than 100 confirmed contacts on each of the 5 contest bands + 30, 17, and 12m.

I am best with short 5nn-style CW, and digital JT9 & JT65 QSOs, but I try to make up for it by the occasional SOCWA QSO.

My present interests are DX, electronics, casual contesting, Long Delayed Echoes, WSPR, and QRP.

I don't collect QSL cards unless it is the only chance to confirm a rare entity. I will respond via the buro if you send one, but I prefer confirmation via Logbook of the World.

Main rigs: Elecraft K3 and K2. Main QTH at JO59fu with main antenna being a horizontal loop antenna - 75 m long (80-10 m and even for 6m). Recently I made an inverted L for 40, 80, and 160 m with pneumatically controlled length adjustment (LA4ZH design). Secondary QTH at JO49js and I have also operated from JO48ln. I wish I had better antennas for DX!

Operated as F/LA3ZA March-April 2009 and TK/LA3ZA (picture) May 2009.

Blog on http://la3za.blogspot.com/, on Twitter as @LA3ZA.

If you have an Elecraft K2 you may be interested in LA3ZA Unofficial Guide to Elecraft K2 Modifications