Hi all:
I'll still a newbie; only 13 months at the radio. I have been aware of amateur radio for 40 years - a friend, and then an employer, were both hams, but I didn't have much to say, so never pursued it.
In January 2013, I heard of a local class, and decided to enrol to keep the little grey cells busy. I passed the exam, and bought an FT-60 as soon as I could. It's a sturdy, capable radio, and I love it. But it does get warm during extended conversations.
I wanted to use the radio for emergency communications at one particular location, but there are no repeaters that I can hit, so I'm now looking at HF to deal with emergencies there (it is 40km south of Lloydminster SK, about 3 km east of the middle of nowhere).
Since I passed the Basic exam, I have been using my new skill for public service and personal communication with friends, and I'm ready to help with emergencies; no emergencies yet, thank goodness, but new friends abound, and I have recanted made contact with a friend of the former employer. He used to come to the store on Saturdays to meet the boss and several other hams.
I'm also working on CW, as gain to keep the little grey cells working.
73,
Neil Slater
VA5SCA
SKCC 12198
Sent via Morse Code, assisted by slide rule and abacus.
