02/10/2010 | KA6ROD Hi, my name is Rod Bunn and I got my first license in 1965 at the
age of 13. Ham radio changed my life, I went on to work in the
telephone business and enjoyed working with electronics. I knew in
1965 that Ham radio was something I wanted to enjoy my whole life.
I really loved CW and had an old J38 (see in the attached photo) that
I used for many years. 20 years ago I had to take a break from Ham'in to raise a family and all those other things that take up all your time.... but I promissed myself I'd get back into it some day.
So, a few months ago I started talking about Ham radio again and getting back into it, my wife heard me and for christmas bought me a HF rig. Man was I excited. I threw up a small long wire (only up 20 feet + the 7000ft altitude I'm at) so I could get on the air.
Then I remembered reading in QST about straight key night, and I thought what a great day to go back on the air after 20 years!
So I hooked up my old J38 and got in a few qso's, man did my fist hurt. I forgot how hard it was to send morse code on a straight key, but I had the time of my life doing so.
I really enjoyed my first qso with WI6O, John and I will never forget the feeling of coming back to Amateur Radio. Thanks for having the SKN day, it was so much fun! Can't wait till next year.

Thanks, Rod Bunn -- KA6ROD