In 1956, I received my first amateur radio license, KN6BAJ. Over the years I have moved physically to other parts of the USA and my license number changed from "6" (California) to "4" (SE USA.) Also, as my radio priveleges changed, the length of my license "call sign" got smaller. KT4YE represents the second highest privelege set available. (I'll try for the highest some day!)
Amateur radio operators are sometimes called "hams" for reasons that escape me. But amateur radio fills a vital link in homeland security, as well as national and international emergency communications. For example, in the first 24 hours after Katrina and the SE Asia tsunami, Amateur Radio was the ONLY communication tool that was operational in the affected areas.
It's also a blast to be able to talk to folks in remote parts of the world. Two of my most memorable conversations were with Tom Christian (direct descendant of Fletcher christian of "Mutiny On The Bounty" fame) and a fellow in Antarctica located about 75 yards North (the only direction) of the physical South Pole.
But I often sign my posts with a diminutive of my given name, William, as...
Bill Miller