My amateur interests focus on VHF UHF operations. I have been on the 6m band since 1965 and it remains my special interest. Modes include SSB, CW, and digital.
I have developed my station for 6m thru 23 cm bands. I am currently developing home-brew SSPA (300W on 6m and 400W on 2m commissioned. 70cm close = LNA and changeover still to go) and LNA to combine with stacked YAGIs for each VHF/UHF band.
I maintain a HF capability primarily for liaison. Occasionally, I operate CW, RTTY, and weak signal modes on 80 thru 10m.
For "grey nomading" and WICEN activities, my mobile provides 80m thru 70cm capability with Voice, CW, Packet, and digital modes.
I am also interested in EME. While my station remains QRP, I enjoy 2m EME to Europe and Asia and have received reports on 6m EME from Canada & UK. Further development of the station to 2m and 70cm with azimuth/elevation arrays and QRO is progressing. Az El array of 4x X polarised 7 element Yagis are installed and under test. This array together with SDR, MAP65, and LiveCQ applications provide 2m EME band wide monitoring and reporting.
I am a member of the WIA and ARRL.
My log is uploaded to LoTW every month. I am registered with eQSL.cc and service electronic QSLs on a regular basis.
I will respond to direct QSLs which include 2x US$ and a SOE. Where the request is for cards via bureau, these go out as needed to the WIA QSL bureau.
Amateur Radio and My Career
My interest in electronics (crystal set, 6V6& 807 audio amps, SFT108 regen Rx, 8pin valve superhet Rx, etc ) lead me to a AOCP (Amateur Operator Certificate of Proficiency) class at Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club in Queensland Australia VK4.
I gained my licence VK4ZMG in 1964 at the age of 17 year old. My CW proficiency wasn’t quite good enough and the nerves of a first test were the end of the ACOP dream until 1975 when I became VK4AMG.
My interest led to a radio technician-in-training position with the Australian Civil Aviation department in 1965.I served in Brisbane Radio Maintenance as a Senior Techician and at the Regional Technical Training School as an Instructor while I completed my part-time enginering degree at Queensland Institute of Technology.
On graduation, I served 13 years as a senior engineer, ground facilities (Control Towers, Radar, & Navigation Aids) with the Australian Civil Aviation department.
I then co-founded a business, ELPRO Technologies, providing radio telemetry and control systems for water supply and flood warning in the eastern states of Australia. The business also adapted the "ALERT" remote rain and river gauging system for Australian conditions. My "ugly child", now part of the Cooper Industries group, supplies class licence radio products (remote IO, data modems, etc) worldwide.
After formalising my business experiences with a Masters Degree in Technology Management, I worked with many businesses and the local universities to develop and produce embedded microprocessor radio-based products. Most rewarding of these roles was the application of GPS technology to ground applications including Civil Aviation in Australia and the development of safety critical radio and embedded microprocessor hardware for rail transport systems.
I served over 20 years in the Army Reserve (Signals Corps), transferring to the Reserve of Officers in 1988 with the rank of Captain.
I am now retired with priorities that include ageing parents, grandkids, travel, and my hobbies of amateur radio, model aircraft, photography, and gardening.
During the 60s & 70s, I was active in local club activities. The Brisbane VHF Group honoured me with Life Membership for my contribution.
I have been a member of the WIA for over 25 years and an active member of WICEN for over 45 years. I am also a ARRL member.
External Links = My Ugly Child
Summary (http://www.environmentdirectory.com.au/companies/elpro.htm).
Current Group (http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/bussmann/wireless.html?content=261)
ALERT User Group (http://www.alertsystems.org/)
ELPRO ERRTS http://www.hellopro.co.uk/ELPRO_Technologies-1611-noprofil-1000828-6248-0-1-1-fr-societe.html) .
Bureau of Meteorolgy Flood Warning (http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/).
