My first receiver was a Hallicrafters S-85.  First transmitter was a homebrew crystal controlled 5-watter using a 6L6.  And a dipole antenna.

After a couple of months on the air, I wanted to be able to use a microphone and obtain more frequency privileges, so I upgraded to the General class license, and became K6RIM.

The homebrew transmitter was quickly replaced with a Globe Scout and Heathkit VFO.

Ten meters was hot back then, and I quickly became attracted to Dxing.  First real DX was KH6MG/ZK1 in the Cook Is.  Boy, I was forever hooked!

Flash forward over fifty years, and the magic is still there!  Having worked and confirmed all DX entities, I have maintained my interest by finding other mountains to climb: chasing new band countries and contesting.  Most of my activity is on CW.

The current rig is state-of-the-art: Icom IC-7800, Alpha 87A and M2 log periodic, computer logging, etc.  But my Novice days will never be forgotten.

73,

Al, K6RIM