I am enjoying life as an amateur radio operator.  I t was 38 years ago that
I was introduced to the world of amateur radio.  My parents introduced me
to Arthur  Owens (K7DLP) and his wife Jerri (K7KLO).  I enjoyed watching
and listening to Art operate his mobile rig on 80 and 40 meters.  I was 12
then and could not get enough out of his visits.  Art gave me my first
shortwave radio receiver and I put up my first antenna and I was in my new
world.  Even then I had trouble learning code, which turned out to be my
stumbling bock to getting  a licence.  Through the years I would always
listen to hams when ever I turned on my shortwave radio.  In January of
this year I was looking at an outdated study manual for the tech licence
and found out that I still remembered quite a bit of the theory.  I bought
a new Q&A manual and started studying.  I passed my Tech licence in March
and bought my first radio in May.  Also in May my studying for the code
paid off  and one more test put me in to the General licence.
Early in June I bought a Radio Shack HTX 10 Transceiver from Andy
(WB0WKC).  I used an old CB mobile antenna and then waited.  The 10 meter
band opened up for field day, to let me on the HF bands for that day .  I
waited all summer for the band to open up.  On August 24 of this year I saw
where Hawaii was having a QSO party and I thought how would I get there on
25 watts.  That afternoon I heard a station in Hawaii and gave it a try.  I
was ecstatic when I heard my call sign repeated.  I made it to Hawaii on 25
watts!  Later that day I contacted Hawaii one more time.  I also
contacted  (ZK1JD) in the Cook Islands.  Boy oh boy am I on a high and I
have not come down yet.  4 days later I contacted  (VK2VUB) in
Australia.  Since then I have purchased an Icom 735 from (WB0M) and am
ready to try the other bands on HF.  This new hobby is the joy of my life
and I am in ham heaven.  If you do not belive me, just check out the smile
on my face.   I would like to thank all who have helped to get me here to
this joyful world of Amateur Radio.   "73s"
                                                                    Bob
Snyder (KC0MUX)
Last update to this page 10/16/02