I was first licensed as a novice in 1987 when I was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. When I was originally licensed morse code was still a requirement and I remember 'sweating' having to take that particular test component. The morse code component consisted of listening to a pre-recorded cw QSO immediately followed by a written test. After successfully passing the novice test I then had to await for the FCC issued callsign and license to arrive in my mailbox - I was issued the callsign KC4HFH. My first station consisting of a Yaesu FT-101EE with a homebrew dipole antenna proved to be an excellent station for morse code work even if my call was a bit cumbersome.
Successfully upgrading to a general class license in 1988 caused an upgrade my station by adding a PK-232 and HP dumb terminal as I very interested in the digital modes. In 1989 I was reassigned to Germany where as a general class license holder I was able to apply for and was granted the reciprocal amateur radio license of DA1AD. My main mode of operation while I was stationed in Germany was learning and using the digital modes on UHF. Of course my HP dumb terminal was not up to the task so it was replaced by PC and I purchased a YAESU HT along with a UHF Yagi antenna.
Retired from active in 1994 and relocated to Jefferson, NH where unfortunately I allowed my amateur radio license to lapse. Once again I was bitten to get on the air so in 2007 I took the general class license minus the code requirement and was granted the call of KB1PSK. In 2010 I applied for the vanity call of K1AJD which I was granted and is the callsign I use today. While in Jefferson, NH I was a net control operator, assistant net manager for the North Central Amateur Radio Service HF net. During the time I was affiliated with the net I had the opportunity to meet and converse on a daily basis with many super amateur radio operators!
.