The Picture above is of my XYL and me on a trip to Alaska in July 2011

I first got my ticket in the spring of 1968 as a General. My equipment was a BC342 which was a surplus WW2 tank rcvr. It was good enough to learn morse code on, but drifted so badly that I would have to keep my left hand on the dial to follow the signals. About a week after I passed my exam, I picked up a Heathkit TX1 Apache xmtr and a Hammarlund HQ 150 rcvr. Great equipment and heavy. I believe the TX1 weighed 105#s. In 1969 I upgraded to SSB with a 300 watt Globe Galaxy 3.

I lost the Galaxy 3 while in TX when it was rained on next to an open window.

After, that I used Navy club stations with their all Collins S-Line equip, linears, towers and beams.

I let my license slip away. I got it back in 1985 and renewed it in 1995 but but didn't have equipment so I let it slip again. In 2010, my yl (now XYL) from the 60's talked me into radio again. In October 2010, I took general exam and became KD8OXE which didn't feel right, so I applied for my old call and got it back. January 8, 2011, passed my extra class exam. :-)

When I restarted, I was running an IC-730 (EBay prize!) upgraded with an MFJ 1040C,an MFJ 1026and a TimeWave DSP-599zx, a kenpro kp-100 keyer, and a trapped dipole antenna up in the trees. :-) now I am running a Flex-5000A which is a GREAT rig. I operate mostly CW now. Please forgive my very poor fist, I am still trying to learn to use an iambic keyer, which for some reason is much more difficult than learning a bug was 40+ years ago.:-) Old dog new trick thing :-)

It is GREAT TO BE BACK!

WB8BIL's Web Page Link

My 2010 IC-730 and mess.

My 2011 station with Flex 5000A and same old mess

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