It really was a wonderful experience having the auxiliary military radio license while in Okinawa. Being able to contact loved ones back home on a daily basis was wonderful. Also made a lot of new friends while in Okinawa (military friends from Guam, Mainland Japan, Korea and Philippines) The most wonderful thing was getting into pile ups for DX stations back to the states and being able to operate anywhere in the Ham Radio spectrum. Example: Would get in the Novice portion of the band and return call in voice while the other operator was operating in CW. State side operators thought I was a California contact with call KA6AD until they discovered I was in Okinawa Japan then the pile up would commence. GREAT FUN !!!

Would love to experience the thing again. It was probably the greatest experience I have ever had with Ham Radio.  Will never forget the many hours of operating. I also ran a lot of phone patches back to the states operating from my room in the Staff NCO Barracks.  Averaged about 10 to 15 patches per night.  Ran most of my patches through W6DQE from California. He is a silent key now. If you would like to call please do!!