Born 1941 at North Shields England. Started to serve an apprenticeship as a engineer. Volunteered and joined the Parachute Regiment for 2 years. Founder member of The Northumbria Parachute Club and The Blue Stars Skydiving Team.Emigrated to ZL in 1980.Married for 45 years to my wife Betty with 3 children and 4 grandchidren. Sat the ham exam in 1989 and got the call ZL1UMQ. Six months later passed the morse exam (12wpm) and got my full call ZL1CDX. Promptly buried the morse key in the backyard (hated it) 2 years later was put on the spot with a ham requiring a contact for an award on 80mtrs CW!. Bought a keyer and a iambic paddle and for 6 mths was nose to the grindstone. Now 95% operating on CW - and loving it. Have worked and met some very interesting and amazing people from all walks of life whilst operating on the DX bands. My interests are DX, Fists club, building antennas and contesting. I would like to thank Len ZL1BLR and Dave ZL1AV(SK) who encouraged and advised me in my early days and also a big thank you to the thousands of hams who I have worked over the years. My other interests are playing the electronic organ and flyfishing for trout.
KEEP THOSE ANTENNAS BEAMING TO ZL
