Biography
Born in 1967, SWL since age 7. First Licensed in 1982 at age 14 (as G6IUT), then progressed to full licence (and my present callsign) by passing the 12wpm Morse code test at age 15. I became a fan of CW, going on to teach Morse to several pupils at the Bletchley Park Morse centre. I was appointed an RSGB County Morse examiner in the late 1990s, recognising my dedication to helping others in following what has become a passion for me.
I am extremely active as an SWL - I have over 343,000 QSOs logged; in 336 DXCC.
My main areas of interest are DX; CW; digimodes/datamodes; antennas; NDB & other beacons; and VHF. I have logged at least 100 DXCC entities on every band from 160m right through to 6m. My main ambition is to get WAC on 6m - I just need Oceania. My antennas are always simple, usually single element and, quite often, homemade.
* Married (my XYL is also a licensed ham, although not active at the moment) and have 3 daughters.
* Was the International Editor for WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook) (www.wrth.com), from 2001 until the company ceased in 2022.
* Freelance Technical Writer/Author and a co-author of the RSGB book 'Computers in Amateur Radio', writing both the introduction and the chapter concerning data-mode software.
* Have also produced logos and advertising materials for several clients.
Please visit my radio website: http://www.hfradio.org.uk
73, and hope to hear/work you on the bands!
Sean, G4UCJ
Equipment
Main HF Transceiver: Yaesu FTdx10
VHF & Backup HF: Icom IC-756proII (on loan from G4IRQ as my 756pro has died) with 2m TXCO controlled transverter + 90w linear amplifier.
Portable HF: Xeigu G90 Multimode SDR 20w TRX.
HF & VHF Receivers: Racal RA1792; RFspace SDR-IQ SDR; Airspy HF+ Dual Port SDR; Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR; Airspy R2 SDR; Funcube Dongle Pro Plus (FCDpro+) SDR; Yupiteru MVT7100; Baofeng GT3TP MKIII, 8W dual band handheld TRX; BF888+ 70cm handheld TRX, x2; Quansheng UV5K (8) handie; CommRadio CR1; Sangean ATS-909 (Roberts R861); Roberts R5504; Degen DE1103; XHData D808.
ADSB Rx: Prostick+ RTL-R820T2 based dongle with ADSB Filter and 2 element colinear (in the attic), into RPi then feeding 360 Radar and FlightAware.
Antennas: 20m full wave wire triangular sloping loop, apex @ 6m; 1m active loop at 1.5m (rotatable); CCW Active Loop @ 1m; 5 element 2m PowaBeam yagi @ 6.5m; 6m dipole @ 6.5m; 2 element 4m VK2ABQ beam (in the attic).
To help combat some of the man-made interference, I use an MFJ 1026, which has been a real lifesaver on many occasions! Providing you can supply a good noise signal on one antenna and a stronger signal than noise on the other antenna, you stand a fair chance of improving the overall clarity of the wanted signal. Doesn't work 100% every time, but it works to some degree on most problems.
A second MFJ1026, modified for 160 and MW DX, is in the shack. Also available is a kit-built 'X-phaser' (from 'Raduso', in Poland - which is of a different design to the usual, eBay available, x-phase units from the Far East).
For calibration purposes, I have a GPS/satellite locked frequency standard that is accurate to around 2ppb, or better.