[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ara,
I should have mentioned that if you would have a radio and would like to set up a time to practice your on air skills (an HF radio not VHF/UHF) we could do that. I know I had a hard time getting on the air the first time. The sunspot cycle is really low now so it's still pretty hard to set stuff up but we could give it a try. 20 meters is open some days and even 18 meters does a nice job since it isn't very crowded yet. When the sun cooperates, 10 and 15 both are great bands from my QTH to California.