I will keep it brief for my sake (and yours). I have been around Amateur Radio since 1985. I like to think of my self as a newcomer. Why? because I have worked gentlemen on 40 meter CW that makes me feel like I just hit operator puberty.
About 10 years ago I upgraded to Amateur Extra. While not active now, at least my interpretation of active, which is working the low bands and occasionally chasing DX, I do enjoy keeping up with the goings on with local clubs, and other Ham Radio related groups.
Working VHF and UHF bands via repeaters or Echolink is what I have been restricted to “running” recently. Again, I just can’t consider that mode of operation as “truly active” in the hobby. Above all, remember it is only my humble opinion.
Planning for a return to the paddles is always on my mind. Unless I am working CW on HF or CW/QRP or CW/QRP/M (yes, I am one of those “nuts” who have worked the paddles while driving @ 55 MPH+) on the low bands, I do not consider myself as truly “active”. The “glory” days of the late 80’s, when my first call was new and the HF bands were “loaded” during the peak of the last sunspot cycle are very badly missed!
I am now semi-retired and as a result I don’t travel any longer. Therefore I do hope to fill some of the time I now have available by returning to the segment of the Amateur bands which I enjoy so very much. However, I think CW/M is no longer an option. Opting out of CW/M may be more a matter of wisdom than lack of ability.
In addition to the pleasure of the low bands over the years, I have been an ARES/RACES member, President and Secretary of the Brookhaven National Laboratory Radio Club, served on the Board Of Directors of the Radio Central Amateur Radio Club during it’s glory days, was a Volunteer Examiner for a number of years, worked shelter communications during the Suffolk County, NY wildfires, certified myself in HazMat training, belong to ECARS, various QRP groups, etc.
On a personal level, I found time to finish my BS degree in Computer Science and raised 2 sons who are both MS graduates and are now highly successful entrepreneurs.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope you find the the information on my blog entertaining, useful and informative. Of course I am open to all comments, suggestions and criticisms.
Thank you Gary-Nice site. thank you for being both a Amateur Mentor and a Internet Mentor for me and my 3 sons, now in the electronics industry in part due to your influence—Jeff,Oncology dept.SUNY at StonyBrook, Ryan, Sound/Electronics Engineer,Gary,Musician Art Weiss
Yea, the kid’s got a real nice site for a new comer.Thanks Gary from an old timer (77).
hi
Wink N4GJ
plz remit 5$ for hiliday party..ty
You’ve got a great site here. I’ve booked marked it and will send folks over from my own site now and then. A great storehouse of info. Thanks. – Ken
Ken, thanks for the kind words. I do appreciate it. For great deals on ham and scanner gear,visit my virtual store at http://www.ehamstore.com
73, Gary (ke2yk) – please pass the word!
I found your website only as a result of a web search. I have never heard of you or your blog. Now I have it bookmarked. People can’t answer your polls unless they know your site exists. On what other sites are you linked? I’ll be back.
KA9YSE
Sir,
Thank you for the bookmark. Since my time is very limited, my attention to the blog is not what it once was. I don’t really follow all the SEO stuff related to links, back links, google rankings, etc. I do keep a rough tally of the number of visitors that I have had over the past year or so. That number is only for my amusement. Should you be interested in browsing through new and used amateur radio equipment online, please consider visiting my e-commerce site at http://www.ehamstore.com
Thanks much for your comment.
Best Regards
Gary (ke2yk)