A Chemical Engineer by profession, I was first licensed as a Novice in 1973 after being encouraged by a co-worker Elmer. The Novice rig consisted of an old multi-tube Viking transmitter and an Allied (Radio Shack) shortwave receiver. After gaining Extra class, I worked up through a succession of Heathkit, Drake, and Kenwood HF gear. A DXer heart, for a few glorious years I lived on a hilltop with a tower, my beloved Drake TR-7 and an HyGain triband quad. Then came a move to the current HOA restricted subdivision and a move to stealth wire antennas. Nonetheless, persistence and flexibility have permitted me to achieve WAS, WAZ, DXCC (200+).