I've been meaning to introduce myself, really I have, but I just never got around to it.  My neighbor, one street up and over a bit, put up a 70-foot tower a number of months ago and put a very impressive beam on top.  That was an immediate indicator that there were more hams in the neighborhood than I realized.  While walking around the neighborhood I noted the license plate on his truck, W3EL.  What I should have done is walked up and knocked on his front door but I didn't.

Just yesterday when the XYL and I were headed out to Home Depot I noted the familiar "W3EL" license plate in my rear-view mirror.  I switched over to "52" and tried to give him a call.  Nothing.  Oh well, maybe he doesn't have his radio on or he's not listening to the calling channel or...

As we pull up to the stop light he gets in the lane next to me and goes ahead of me.  I thought that maybe I could have waved at him in traffic but no joy.  I do notice, however, that he's messing with something and that he has pulled his microphone out.  Hmmm, maybe he did see me.  Then I hear his call on "52"; awesome!

We chatted for a good bit and it turns out he's a big DXer like I try to be.  We talked about articles that we had both read what we were chasing.  It was fun.  He invited me over to his house as long as I ignored the mess.  I think I'll take him up on that offer.