Hi, Ed.
No, I am not a "machinist". Just hobby that turned into a very useful
way to make/build/repair things.

I was a retired computer programmer/systems analyst/data communications
consultant. After my partners and I sold the business in Kirkland, WA,
my wife and I moved to dry/sunny Central Oregon. Was 4° this morning.
8-10" snow on ground for 2+ weeks. Maybe Puget Sound wasn't so bad
after all!

After 1 1/2 years, my wife thought I should find a job. Noting for a
guy 60 years old. Saw an ad for a partner in an elctronic assembly
business here in Redmond. Bought 45% of the business in 2000. We had
one customer. Have built it to $750,000 in sales this year and 7
employees. Partner died a year ago, and the widow gave me the rest of
the company in exchange for paying off a note. Hope to do a million
next year!

Without the metalworking hobby experience we would have spent many
thousands of dollars on tools, tooling and equipment.

I have been working on getting a mobile HF set-up in my pickup truck.
Working on mobile mounts for antennas since last summer. Still no
decision on how to mount.

So, Ed, can we make contact on 75 meters or 160, or where? We can
discuss this some more on the air!

Paul, KD7HB