I sent in my 610 for a new W7 call and received W7KJJ (a re-issue). At that time, the FCC was charging 20 dollars to apply for a former call. As it turned out, I liked this call better than the YBI suffix.
In June, 1977, I accepted a technician job with the Arabian-American Oil Company, in Saudi Arabia. As a matter of fact, Jerry Johnson, KØJJ, and I hired on at the same time and traveled to Arabia together. An old friend, Mike Skowronski, WB6AET , had preceded us to Arabia and had recommended us for employment at Dhahran. (If anyone out there has an idea of where Mike is today, please let me know). During our first vacation from Arabia, I put the tower back up and installed a KT34XA beam on it. At least I could work a few Q's when I was home from HZ1AB! .
When Sue and I came back from Arabia for good in early 1986, I bought a new Rohn foldover tower, TH7DX, rotor, etc., and installed them at our hill top QTH outside of Sherwood, Oregon.
We bought a house in Maple Valley, Washington, and eventually I put up my tower, sold the big tribander and bought an A3. I was very active from Washington (ask the neighbors) and this congested neighborhood. One of the highlights at this QTH was participating in the first WRTC competition. I was one of the host stations operated by two Russians.
Sue and I decided to "power down" and make preparations to live our dream - full time RV living. In the fall of 1994, we sold our home and moved into our new home on wheels. We bought a 40-ft King of the Road 5th wheel with all the amenities (except a tower!). In January 1996, I took on a new job with a NASA contractor in California. We lived at Morgan Hill, in an RV park for 3 years. I retired in December 1999 and am enjoying a life of leisure!
I took advantage of the vanity licensing program and changed my call to K7JJ.
I am active and enjoy the challenge of operating with no gain antennas.