NB8N may look like a typo, but it's not.  It's my amateur radio call sign.  My interest in radio dates to when I was a kid listening to distant stations on a Hallicrafters short-wave set, an activity that eventually led to becoming a ham operator.  Conversing with other operators around the world has always been pleasing, but it was never more so than during the five years my wife and I sailed the Caribbean aboard our forty-foot cutter, The Better Way.

My rig was a Kenwood TS430S running through a Heathkit tuner to the boat's insulated backstay.  With this simple setup we were able to stay in touch with family and friends with a reliability matching a telephone—and, best of all, we paid no long-distance charges.  Today, back on land here in the Georgia mountains, I still use the trusty 430S along  with its newer companion, the Kenwood TS2000.  Both radios share a multi-band Windom antenna that gives worldwide coverage. 

Talking with other Amateur Radio operators around the world is intriguing, but the greater thrill for me is making distant contacts (DX) using Morse Code (CW).  Two pieces of gear that enhance this mode of communication are a decent sending key (I use a Bencher BY-1) and a topnotch memory keyer (I use the CMOS-4, an incredible gadget at an affordable price,  available at www.idiompress.com ).   And while you're there looking at the many other fine products, pick up a copy of The Complete DX'er by Bob Locher, W9KNI, an enlightening and entertaining book you'll use and treasure for years to come.

On the local level, I hold membership with Georgia Army MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) and with the Ellijay Amateur Radio Society (EARS), a club with a slate of diverse activities, including monthly meetings, ham fests, and  a yearly showing at the area's Apple Festival.  To learn more about the club and how you might participate, click on the EARS logo.

And if you'd like to view  the many bells and whistles that go hand-in-hand with this interesting hobby, visit the website of Amateur Radio: http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html