Hello Radio!! , if you don't know,  is a punch line from a really bad practical joke. I thought it an appropriate title for my amateur radio blog. Not really sure what to do here, so here goes.

I have been interested in ham radio since I was a kid. But I never really was able to do anything for a host of reasons. But now all other priorities have been taken care of and I can now spend time with ham radio.

I got my Tech license in Jan 2012, general in May and extra in July. Not really a huge feat considering I am an electrical engineer and was also licensed as a novice back in the late 70's early 80's and also held a first class radio telephone license at one time.

As far as radios, I have a HW-8 (left over for my novice days) and a VHF/UHF HT. I am waiting for an iCOM ic-s700 that I bought on eBay.

I am trying to get my CW skills better, but it is a tough haul. Maybe 7 wpm right now.

I am finding it difficult making contract on my HW-8. I have only made one contact and did not get to complete it. But I'll keep trying.