BACKGROUND

I was 1st licensed in 1978 with the call VK6ZHE (allowed to tx 52MHz and above only - no HF). At this time I was based in Carnarvon, a small town some 950kms North of Perth, Western Australia's capital. I was a telecommunications technical officer in the Overseas Telecommunications Commission's Satellite Earth Station there, which was constructed for the purpose [initially] of providing data services for the NASA Apollo missions, then later for commercial international comms between VK and the rest of the world.

In 1979 I passed my Morse exam and was issued with VK6OX.

In my 1st year as a ham I was spoilt by: 1) living in a fabulous sub-tropical and excellent DX location, and 2) coming on to the scene towards the peak of Sunspot Cycle 21.

As it happened, I become hopelessly addicted to the 6m band and during the 1st couple of years I worked many many JA stations and a few other regionally located countries as well! In fact I worked about 500 JA stations on 6m before I worked my first VK station outside of VK6.During the latter period up to early 1981, I engaged the services of Yoshi JA2BZY who, as another keen 6m operator, agreed to be my QSL manager for all JA contacts. And for that I will be eternally grateful. Thank you Yoshi, domo arigato!

I left Carnarvon in 1981 to pursue a slightly different career over in VK2, but after 12 months decided that I would prefer to continue in the satellite comms arena and as a consequence was lucky enough to return to Carnarvon.

Unfortunately with the advent of more modern technology, it was decided in 1986 to close down the Earth Station and relocate activities to the outskirts of Perth . At the time of the Carnarvon closure, other distractions meant that AR and 6m was put on hold and the move to Perth with all its natural stresses meant that it remained well down the priority list!

THE NEW MILLENIUM

It wasn't until 2008 that the affair was rekindled. A life-changing encounter with prostate cancer (since defeated) and a decision to retire in that year (both events coincidental only) meant that I would again become active - so here I am, still on 6m and still enthusiastic!

CURRENT STATION

Kenwood TS-2000x or TS-590S --> ZL RF Engineering 50MHz PA (2 x GI-6B) or TE0552G --> 2 x 6el G0KSC LFAs stacked 1/2 wl at ~ 7m

Andy VK6OX 8DEC2012

Member WIA and ARRL

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