But when I got home I saw that the only problem was the Z was hand typed so low on the line that it had looked like a 7 to my dad.  I got on that night and my first contact was Earl, K4SDS, in Richmond, VA.  He took special pains with me because he knew it was my first contact, and I never forgot it.  35 years later, while working at the FCC, I looked up Earl and he was still active, he had been a teacher. I should have known, because I sure learned a lot from him that day.

I became relatively inactive after I got discovered girls, but returned to Ham Radio in law school and again after joining the FCC, and have been able to retain my original call.

As a 13 year old, I never dreamed that later in life I would have the privilege of coordinating all Amateur enforcement in the United States for the FCC.  I am extremely fortunate to have been able to repay, in some small way, all the blessings Amateur radio has given me.  I am as fascinated by it today as I was when I made my first contact!