Hello Friends,

My interest in radio communications was born during a hitch in the Navy where I was a radioman in the early '60s.

Once I was out of the service I got into construction and never gave amateur radio a thought. In 1983 I moved a couple

into their new home where the husband (NF5W) began putting up antennas. I mentioned to him that the village has an

antenna ordinance. He asked me if I was the antenna police, hi hi. I asked him if amateurs ever use morse code

anymore and he told me that he himself was an avid keyer. A few days later he invited me into his shack and

we listened to some code. I picked up a pencil and found out it was like riding a bike. Well with his help I got my novice

license and then a few months later I passed the general test with the 13 wpm requirement. As much as I enjoyed it I was

only active for about a year. (All CW). I started traveling as a field superintendent for a couple of national contractors, specializing

in retail improvements in malls. So twenty five years later I am back and enjoying both cw and phone communications.

I have a very humble ham shack with a Kenwood TS-930s for a main rig and a TS-520s for a backup with an S-9 40m vertical on the roof and a 40 ft tower  with a Ringo Ranger and a 4 element beam for two meters. There also a 40m inverted vee on the tower.

I enjoy a couple of evening HF SSB nets.  I belong to the SKCC (nr 7466) and FISTS (nr 15378). I ragchew with some guys in a 50 mile radius on simplex 2 meter net frequently. 147.220

I also belong to the Athens Amateur Radio Club in Athens, Tx. where we assist the National Weather Facilities during the tornado season.

I live waterfront on Cedar Creek Lake located about 70 miles southeast of Dallas, Tx. My lovely wife of 49 years, Elba and I had four

great daughters the oldest (Brenda) we lost July 12, 2010 after a lengthy battle with cancer. We have 7 grandchildren and 5 great-

grandchilderen. (pretty good for age 68).

73 N5HDX,

Joe