My name is Harm de Haan. I have been a Radio Officer in the 60's and early 70's, having sailed in the Dutch Merchant Marine for approx. 7 years (Radio Holland). During these years I have sailed on general cargo ships, tankers and most cruise ships of the Holland America Line, amongst which several years on board of the old 'Nieuw Amsterdam'/PGGF; hence my present call sign PG2GF. Than I changed this interesting job for work ashore (Marine Cargo Surveyor; http://dehaanconsultancy.simplesite.com). I have retired for a few years now and recently picked up this hobby after having succeeded in getting my Radio Licence (2017/N and 2019/F). I also am a Radio Ham operator on board of the ss 'Rotterdam'(PI4HAL ex PHEG), which is the old flagship of the Holland America Line and presently moored at Rotterdam and used as a hotel, conference centre etc. I am gradually familiarizing myself in the mystic of this very interesting hobby. My Radio Shack includes an ICOM-7300 transceiver and two Magnetic Loop Antennes (INAC AH-521 and AX-314 incl. LAC2 - remote controllers) facing N-S and E-W. I also use an antique/nostalgic BC-348R as additional receiver.

I used a Vibroplex bug in the past, but have purchased a Begali Contour Gold paddle which works exceedingly well. An additional Begali CW machine completes the set and is a good aid to demonstrate the morse code on a laptop, so impressing the tour visitors on board of the                ss 'Rotterdam'. Recently I also purchased a Kent K-1 morse key to practice my 'pumping brass'. It is a lifetime hobby as far as I'm concerned.