Been very interested in radio and amateur radio since I was a very young. The above photo is my "shack" at the age of 13/14 (a serious health hazard, but I survived !). Started by building crystal sets and moved on to one and two valve TRF type SW receivers. After meeting a local amateur (G3KYU) in my early teens I became very interested in 2 metres which in the late 1950’s was in its early /experimental days. I went on to purchase an unused “SCR-522” US army/air force transceiver. I built a power supply for it and with much help and encouragement from G3KYU converted it for receive on the two metre amateur band. Not a lot to hear though! Later went on to dabble in other ex gov. radio equipment including the ‘19 Set’ and a number of kit projects. My interest in radio then went on the back burner for many years as career, family and life’s events took over but inspired by seeing a friend’s son using 27 MHz CB and then trying this mode myself for a while, I got the radio bug again. Within a year I had a full amateur licence and was the proud owner of a new FT-102. Present shack running an IC-7400 and TS-590 with a simple random wire end-fed using CG-3000 auto atu, an IC-703 for qrp/portable op, an FT-7800and an old FT-290.

Recently installed the Wellbrook ALA-1530 Active Loop as a separate RX antenna. It has greatly improved the receiving performance in this RF noisy QTH on the lower bands.

Predominant radio interests are HF/CW, operating HF/portable, digital modes (especially Olivia) and 5MHz.

I have had two careers, first as an architect and for the last 20 years as a school teacher. I am now retired and this has given me more time to enjoy this hobby (andwork on improving the CW!) my grandchildren, and also spend time on my other great interest/hobby, playing the piano.

Fists Memebership nr: 14046       RAOTA Membership nr: 2651         First licensed 1982