In February 2008 I reached a milestone.50 years of continuous ham radio licensing. Just thinking about it makes me feel older than dirt. To honor this dubious distinction I set two goals for myself: (1) get off my butt and pass the Extra Class exam, and (2) go the vanity route and recapture the suffix I was first assigned as a geeky Connecticut teenager a half-century ago. I became K1GCN is 1958, W6REF in 1973 (after moving to California), and finally K6GCN in 2008. My mother would be proud.or at least relieved.

Although many of the 50 years have had minimal activity due to typical occupational and family priorities, it's been a glorious ride. My current passion is collecting and restoring vintage boatanchors. Thank goodness I have a very patient, understanding and supportive XYL. We've only had to re-fi the house four times to pay for all this stuff. Passing the Extra has rekindled my interest in CW; listen for me on the low ends of 40, 30, 20 and 17. I'm the one making lots of mistakes with the new Bencher paddle. You may also hear the plate-modulated AT-1 or DX-60 pinning your meter on 75, 40 or 20 AM. And when the sunspot cycle ramps up I'll be beaming Europe on 20 thru 10 SSB. (I only say that 'cause it sounds cool.I can't beam much of anything with my 5BTV).

Thanks for looking me up. I cherish every contact.

73, Bob