The photo above shows GM4FVM during the International Geophysical Year from July 1957 to December 1958. He was 
thinking about how a year could last 18 months. The IGY was intended to investigate Earth Science, and various countries in Europe allowed amateurs to use frequencies around 50 and 70MHz. Later on GM4FVM was to use this part of the spectrum, but at the time of this photo he was more interested in whether he was going to get chips for his tea.
Since 2007, GM4FVM has been located at IO85wu in South East Scotland in Ayton village which has about 600 inhabitants. Ayton is 60 km South East of Edinburgh, near the border with England and situated along the main A1 road and east coast railway to London.
Probably the best way to get my QSL is to send me one first. I use bureau, eQSL or direct. If you send one direct by post I will return by post, no cost to you. I often send outgoing cards direct, unless I have enough for your country's bureau. Even if you send a card by bureau, you might get one back direct.
All SWL cards or reports welcome. SWLs just send me one and get one back. SWL eQSLs also very welcome.
Some things we don't do. No LoTW. Only reception reports for WSPR spots. We do not really do bulletin boards like KST so meteor scatter, skeds, etc need to be set up by e-mail at the address above. Sorry .
First licensed as G8JWG in 1975, I have also used the callsigns G4FVM and EI2VPB.
Generally I work the bands 10, 6, 4, and 2 metres. I use SSB, FM and data modes (PSK, WSPR, FSK) mostly, plus some slow CW.
Provided that you have something polite to say, you may email me at the address above (you have to log in and put your mouse over the address to see it).
Rigs are Yaesu FT-817, Kenwood TS-590 and Flex 1500 (with an ME4-T Pro transverter). On FM I use handhelds and mobile rigs (Wouxun, Yaesu, Anytone and Icom).
Antennas are:-
Vertical == Sirio Gainmaster 5/8th wave vertical dipole on 10m (also used on 12m), 1/2wave (6m), Sirio J-pole (4m), 5/8th (2m), and 2x5/8th colinear (70cm),
Horizontal == 3 or 4 element 4m/6m Vine yagi using home made diplexer, + 10 ele yagi on 2m.
I have added a Fun Cube Dongle to the if output of the 4m transverter. So, if you see me on WSPR I may also be monitoring the SSB calling channel and the beacons. Also, when I am calling on 70.200 I usually listen simultaneously on 69.990 and 50.185. I am keen to have cross-band contacts with countries without tx ability on 4m, and also contacts with German stations split 70.200/69.990 - including Aurora.
Home locator square: IO85wu. WAB Square NT96 (Scotland). Region:- Scottish Borders, "Ceremonial county (historical)":-, Berwickshire.
EPC # 17049 . EPC EU area UK.SC.SB.
I run local training courses for Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced amateur radio examiniations. If you are interested in training for an amateur licence please let me know.
Other interests include railways, technology, science, The Sky at Night, propagation, and generally "what makes things work".
I have haemochromatosis. This is a genetic disease affecting mostly people of Celtic descent. It causes liver and heart disease, exhaustion, diabetes, and a range of illnesses. In the past it was usually diagnosed too late to save the person, but there is now a simple genetic test. Usually the first sign is a high blood iron level found in middle age. The treatment is slow and painful, but much better than the illness. If you come from Scottish/ Irish background, or from Wales, Cornwall, France, or the places the Celts moved to - England, Italy, Canada, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, and you have unexplained symptons, get your iron checked out.
