Have been licensed continuously since receiving my first ticket, KN8BRF, in early 1956 in Michigan along with my dad, KN8BRG, who was a long time professional radio and TV repairman.  He was my mentor (we did not know the term Elmer then) and we decided to get our tickets together.  Had a QSO with him from Germany via DL1FE while I was an exchange student in Karlsruhe.  That cemented my interest in electronics and ham radio.  Got a BSE(EE) from the Univ of Michigan in 1963 and avoided the draft by joining the Air Force.  We got new sequential callsigns when my folks retired to Arizona in 1966.  Carol, my XYL, now has dad's W7DNH.  After a dual electronics career of aerospace (mainly in radar) and 35+ years in the active and reserve Air Force, we quit moving. 

Retirement to the Rocky Mountains put and end to lulls in ham activity.  Belong to QCWA, a local radio club and a couple of nets.  Erected a 55 foot tower with a Force 12 four-bander and numerous other antennas.  What fun!  Also am getting back into CW and hope someday to tie my Dad's speed of somewhere in the 20 - 30 WPM range.