I was a keen SWL between the ages of 12 and 15. After a break of 40 years, I returned to amateur radio in 2007. I took the foundation and intermediate courses at Denby Dale Radio Club, which meets at the Pie Hall, and received my advanced licence in 2008. CW is my first love.

Among equipment in the shack is a Ten-Tec Corsair II and a Tec-Tec Century 22, whose lively performance belies its years. Also here is a Ten-Tec R4030 which is small enough to fit into a coat pocket - though it's a squeeze getting a dipole in there. It's a rebadge of the Chinese-made HB1A and great fun to use. The newest acqusition is an old Ten-Tec Delta 580, in fine fettle. Like many of its cousins, it offers smooth, near-silent QSK.

I've built a number of QRP rigs - including the Rockmite with its punchy 500mW - and enjoy working portable on the moors. Sailing is another interest and you may hear me from time to time operating /mm. The single paddle on this page was handcrafted by Larry, N0SA. It has magnetic contacts and the engineering is superb.

My career has been in newspaper journalism but my early training was in classical music. Clubs: FOC 1961, QRP 12710.

Pie maker of the month: Vegetable samosa, New Sanam, Huddersfield