I started with a big orange beast in 93, then added on 9006.2 in 96, got rid of the beast and added 9006.3 in 97 and continued through 9006.6. Added a Hicom 150 Pro in 1999 using a Y2K excuse to replace an AT&T System 75, and my first 4000 was a V5 in 2010 that replaced the 150 and allowed me to get the platform's "foot in the door", knowing I would be soon replacing it all. In 2014 we replaced all the 9006 stuff, and the V5 with 4000 hardware and V7. All of the formal training I have had was a 9006 EMML/MAC class in 1996 and now I'm taking the North American Service Track for the 4000 with one class left to go. Everything else came from the SOHK - I have been fully self maintaining (except for upgrades, and the first couple of HD replacements) since 1997, but I did pressure them into a parts and "remote maintenance" contract when we did the upgrade partially because I got them to include a crash kit of critical spares on-site, and also because I'm sick of being the Lone Ranger and flying without a net - especially when I try to take vacation!!
Don Bruechert, Voice Comm Analyst II
CareTech Solutions @ Holy Family Memorial
Manitowoc, WI, USA