For me, interest in radio first started at the age of about 11 when I assembled my first kit set crystal set! The delight in first turning it on and tuning to a local commercial broadcast station is still well remembered. For many years that was it until in the mid to late 1980’s, my interest in radio was rekindled when I was introduced to amateur radio by a friend. In 1989 I commenced study to gain an amateur radio operating licence and passed a Technician Class examination. Not being satisfied with the restrictions imposed by this class licence, I studied CW and in early 1991 gained a Full class amateur radio licence,enabling full operating privileges on all amateur bands. Initially my operating interest was with SSB and a small amount of CW. Today however, that interest has changed, CW and digital mode operation being my preferred modes of operation. In 2006 - 2007 I developed an interest in digital (RTTY and PSK) contesting, gaining a number of ZL and Oceania First place Awards. Probably the highest digital contesting achievement is World Second place in the Makrathon contest 2007! Today, I am involved in the administration of the 30 Meter Digital Group (30MDG) and can be found operating on 30 meters both CW and digital modes most days! 73 de Rob ZL3RG