K8CJQ

Bill took a trip to Mackinaw Island and had decided to take his ham radio equipment along.  Just to have fun...operate radio.  With a car battery, radio and antenna strapped onto a two-wheeled cart, in the rain, Bill started the long walk up to Ft. Holmes, the highest point on Mackinaw Island.

Once there he went to work putting the antenna up and got on the air.  "CQ, CQ, CQ from Mackinaw Island."  After a couple of contacts where put in the log, AA5AT came on.  "Bill, do you know you are operating from a rare island?  Give me a minute to get you the details."  The air waves were silent as everyone listened for what would come next.  "Bill, it's MI015L"  From then on, Bill activated 15 different islands for the US Islands on the Air Program.

Not only did Bill operate from US islands, he operated from PJ2T in Curacao several times, St. Pierre a couple of times, he also operated from the SS Keewatin for the International Museum Ship Weekend for three years, 6 different lighthouses in Michigan for International Lighthouse Weekend.  He was always looking for something or some place different to operate ham radio.