I caught the radio bug back in 1968. I was in high school (Nova High school) located in Davie, Florida (outside Fort Lauderdale).

I was asked to help the radio club install an 80 meter dipole on the roof of the science building.

After we were completed the installation, I asked to see the radio room.

They had a Collins Receiver 75A-3 paired with the Collins KWS-1 transmitter.

The guy that gave us the tour tried the new 80 meter dipole with no luck in making a contact. Then he dialed up a RTTY/telex station and the teletype printer started printing out the US AP news feed.

That was it, I was hooked. I started the novice license class the next school year.

At the end of the class, I was able to copy almost 10 wpm, I think I had a good handle on the theory parts.

The 4 of us that completed class, on a Friday waited for 45 minutes for the transportation to show up.

No luck, someone in the office forgot to make the arraignment for the transportation.

Being the end of the school year.

Radio kind of got pushed to the bottom of the with list at that time.

Shortly after that girls, cars, working to pay for the car got in the way.

Around 1971, I passed the fcc test for the Radio Telephone/Telegraph 2nd class with the broadcast endorsment. Worked for the the local tv station as a transmitter baby sitter. I also repaired CB radios during that time.

I went to work at IBM in Boca Raton 1979, retired after  28+ years.

Then the bug came back with a roar. 

I got my technician on May 21,2004, got my general on March 6, 2007.

Now i'm studying for the extra.  

My Station is very modest at this point.

Yaesu FT-450D, scu-17 interface.

ICOM IC-2720H for VHF

ICOM IC-V8 for APARS

ICOM R75 for my shortwave listening

Outside I have a TAK-Tenna 80M and a G5RV dipole and a smal discone for the scanner. I just added a 20m bazooka dipole to the mix. Work mostly digital modes and some SSB from time to time.

Member of the FT8 Digital Mode Club #10776