Bill Sepulveda K5LN

From Bill's QRZ Page Ham radio in my life started with a crystal receiver kit for my 8th birthday. Then a few months later my uncle (K4HUH, SK) gave me a National NC-100 receiver (see the first photo in my journey below). I remember hooking the radio antenna connection to the screen in my bedroom window. In 1952 the screens were all metal and worked very well as an antenna because the conditions were so good.I remember spending hours turning that huge tuning knob, and listening to foreign broadcast and ham radio operators from all over the world. That was when I started to learn Morse code with a home made key, door buzzer, and a 1.5 volt battery, all mounted on a 1" X 4" piece of wood.Because I didn't have the proper training in learning Morse code, I learned it the wrong way (A, B,C, D etc...), and it took me many years to where I was able to pass the 5 WPM code test. By the time I graduated from High School I was ready to pass the code and written test and asked my uncle if he would give me the Novice test. I passed the test and 6 weeks later receive my Novice License (WN4PVW) in 1963.My Novice station (see the second photo in my journey below) was great. I spent hours honing my CW skills, learning Operating Procedures, collecting QSL cards, and finding the biggest clock I could find. For those who remember; remember the line on the meter face of the transmitter for the Novice's and 75 watt limit? Boy you could never go over that line! Going over the line was forbidden and was only for Generals and Extra Class operators.smiley From there it was years of home brew transmitters, receivers, antennas, and QRP radios made with tubes.Fast forwarding to today, and a few call signs later (WA4PVW, N5EIF), I am blessed to be able to have a great station (see photo Jan. 2015 RR,TX below). Because I live in a city lot, my antennas consist of a full wave 80 meter multi-band Loop up 20 ft in the trees around the house. A ground mounted Butternut HF6V vertical with added 12 and 17 meter coils, a G3TXQ designed and K4KIO kitted 6 band Hex-Beam (see photos starting with Apr 2011 RR, TX for details), and a 40 meter dipole up about 30 feet high.I operate mostly CW on all HF bands, and enjoy rag chewing.