Retired [or more accurately, was made redundant!] from GPK on 31 March 1999 when the station closed down, after serving for 30 years in the Coast Radio Station Service

Previous occupation: Air Traffic Control at London Heathrow Airport & the London Air Traffic Control Centre, West Drayton.

Currently working in the Freight Dept. at P&O European Ferries,in Cairnryan, about 15 miles from Portpatrick.

I am also the Lifeboat Operations Manager of the Portpatrick Lifeboat, and have been since 1998 to the present date, so I'm still actively involved in Search & Rescue operations!

Main amateur interests:- 160m & 80m (almost exclusively CW operation!) Now using: Yaesu FT1000MP transceiver + modest amplifier (Just on these bands!) Antenna: I have lost my 125 foot support and old faithful sloping doublet! .. Now back down to earth (almost!) with an inverted-vee 80m doublet @ only 35 feet! at feedpoint. This is obviously NOT GOOD,due to lack of height!! Also use 135 foot low wire to an M.L.B, and coax fed to Rx when QRN levels are high, (which they usually are!) [Poor Man's Beverage - but works!] To date,(Jan 29th 2005) - Countries worked on 160/80 - 167/204 respectively.[Topband score unlikely to improve now!] Computer Logging program: Logger 32 (Superb! Free to download!! ~ and written by Bob Furzer)... Mni Tnx Bob!

Although licensed in 1972,I have been an active HF listener from the age of 6 (1952), and could copy CW @ 20wpm from age 10.

Family: One long-suffering XYL, PATRICIA, (39+ years to date!) Two daughters, one (DEBBIE,)married to DUNCAN, with a daughter,ERIN, now 10 years old + grandson,EUAN, who is 6yrs old. Second daughter,(BEVERLEY,) is 34, single, and lives nearby, with Irish Setters,(MADDIE, MORGAN, BAILEY & REDLEY)along with a wee mongrel {GIZZMO!} Morgan & Bailey will be appearing in CRUFTS Dog Show in Birmingham in early March 2007.

My grandchildren still provide more pleasure(at times!) than my 50w QSO with VK0IR on 160m.

It seemed as though I'd lost my DX capability for 160/80 DX when the big 125' tower was demolished in Feb 2001. However, Mike/VK6HD gave me a 559 report on 160, just 2 days after the low 80m doublet was installed ..(Guess there's nothing wrong with Mike's ears!) THANKS MIKE, and VIVA 160m!

[Incidentally, if any of you lowband guys/gals are fortunate enough to be in a position to experience a near/total solar eclipse of the sun, then take the day off work & get on topband for the event.] I guarantee that the experience will be worthwhile! 1500+ mile contacts at 599 are possible on 160 at Midday in the summer, using less than 100w and modest antenna!

Finally, in August 2003, shortly after returning from a holiday in the USA, I was within 2 hours of becoming a 'Silent Key' after falling victim to Necrotizing Fasciitis [aka.'Flesh Eating Bug'] in the Perineum & surrounding area... I would not wish this on anyone, no matter how evil they were!

Life is still good, despite the loss of my 125ft support tower for 160m of course!]

73 to all - GRAHAM/GM4BES