Originally from Scotland I've been ZL1AAO since 1987.

DXing is in my blood since the bug bit in 1979. I first licensed as GM1KNP for a few years before the shift to ZL.

My second call allocated July 2011 ZL1YE is used for contesting.                                                                        E51 guys lunch August 2011.

Yaesu FT2000 was added in January 2011 and currently is the main RX/TX!                                                

I am putting the FT2000 through it's paces in contests and DXing. I use a Heil HC4 Headset i/c Boom Mic.

I also have another few tranceivers including my trusty TS430S by Kenwood which I have owned from new and a Kenwood TS570D.

Amplifier is an Emtron DX1d which I have mostly used for low band work that extra s point when it is needed.

My antenna farm is small compared to the big contest stations but I try. I have 2 tilt over homebrew masts.

No.1Currently supports my Create 318 TriBand Yagi at 11m and also supports the 40mLoop.

No.2 Supports my homebrew 2 Element 5 Band Cubical Quad. (uses Qtenna hub) Mast 2 is a crank up job sits at 7m and winds up to 11m.

I use homebrew dipoles for 160, 80 and 40. I also use a ground mounted Hustler 4 band vertical with up to 8 radials on each band. It's always interesting to have some projects in mind and I always seem to have antennas on the go with the winds that come through this valley!

Mobile or Portable I use my Yaesu FT857D or Kenwood Rigs above with mobile/portable antennas depending on the focus of my activity. ie. Local or DX and which band etc.

My QTH is 70m above sea-level and to the north west looks over the Hauraki Gulf towards Waiheke Island and Auckland. I have a hill right behind me to the south so don't point my beam that way! There is good take-off from West, North & East.

I am registered with LOTW and with eQSL. Check there and see if you have any QSLs. If you are curious follow the link for my web page. (Its nothing flash!) http://brucezl1aao.webs.com/index.htm

Rarotonga, Cook Islands in August 2011. E51AAO was available so from a simple holiday style operation I used my Kenwood TS570D and wire zep dipole. I also took along a fibreglass mast which become a multi band 1/4 wave vertical but the dipole performed best. Watch the DX info for posts for when I decide to go back again. See below for some stats. If you need a card from E51AAO please send direct or bureau via ZL1AAO. ( Photo above was taken at lunch in Rarotonga. All Hams!)

Sept 2011. Thanks to all for the 432 QSOs with 47 DXCC Entities.

Break down of QSOs as follows:- 40m-14, 20m-297, 17m-22, 15m-78, 12m-6 and 10m-15.

Top countries:- USA-70, Germany-39, Italy-39, England-15, New Zealand-13 and France-10

I'm impressed with the performance of the dipole and 100watts!

Thank you again for working me and hopefully you are happy to have South Cook Islands confirmed in your logbook!

EQSL and LOTW have now been upoaded with E51AAO log.

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Please QSL direct via my home call address. Send SAE with $2 or if not in a hurry use the QSL bureau.

(Sorry from December 2012 will ceasing use/acceptance of IRC. No more IRC!!!! )

73s de Bruce.

Be a Happy DXer! You can check out for QSOs at http://www.clublog.org/logsearch/ZL1AAO

PS Thanks to all that worked me as ZL1YE in the CQWPX Contest 2012 and CQWWSSB Contest 2012.My logs are now loaded on EQSL and LOTW.

PPS Recently received my certificate for CQWorld Wide DX Contest 1st Place Low Power SSB Single Operator All Band 2010 New Zealand and placed #9 Oceania.