Jim Blaine (N7XV), a proud U. S. Navy (Vietnam-era) vet, first became a ham op in 1996, quickly upgrading to Extra class so he could take advantage of the CW portion of the ham bands. Jim found QRP operating to be much like dry fly fishing with light gear, he didn’t get a strike on every cast but when he did it was a lot more fun & he enjoyed the friendships he made along the way. While he thoroughly enjoyed rag chewing (much more so than contesting), what Jim enjoyed most of all was encouraging & supporting new CW operators in an effort to prevent CW from becoming a lost art. God bless, es 73 to all. - Jim (N7XV SK)