My interest in amateur radio came from a start as a SWL when I was about 7 years old. Homebrewer soon after . first with 2 valve short wave receiver using acorn valves. Now use a mix of homebrew and commercial gear and operate only data modes. Currently BARTG President and found on HF in a few RTTY contests every year, hopefully more now that I am retired from full time work.

60ft Versatower and Optibeam OB11-5 now up in my back garden. Other antennas are an inverted V for 80M and a quarter wave vertical for 40M.

Beam now down at 30ft, fixed direction to US . no antenna for 80M, due to withdrawal of planning permission after a year. Appeal against local authority decision will take until January/February 2013 before decided.

Tower now up again with permanent permission thanks to the Welsh Assembly! New PST61 rotator and head unit also fitted and after 25 years a new 4CX1000 for the HB amp is on the way. Just need some decent propagation now