Biography

Also operating with call MV0WKT (2013-07-10 until 2013-07-31::23:59A).

Previous calls were M6WKT, MQ6WKT, 2E0WKT, 2Q0WKT (2012-05-05::00:00A until 2012-06-10::23:59A) 2O0WKT (2012-07-21::00:00A until 2012-09-09::23:59A).

I eventually passed my Foundation Licence on 21st January 2012 after a lifetime of interest in electronics and radio communications. I passed my Intermediate exam on 26 May and received my Intermediate Licence on 30 May 2012.:-)

I passed my Advanced exam on 1 July and received my Full Licence on 10 July 2013.:-D

I studied for my Advanced Exam with the help of the Bath Based Advanced Distance Learning course run by Steve Hartley, G0FUW, and his team and wish to thank them all, especially my tutor, Harry Weston, M0SOP, for all their help and encouragement.

Background

I first used a radio transmitter in the Royal Signals section of Rutlish School CCF in about 1964. I used radio communications as a glider pilot in the 1970s and I obtained my "Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony - VHF only" for ship to shore/ ship to ship radio telephony in 1986. In May 2000, I obtained authorization to operate VHF DSC and VHF-Only radio telephone stations established in a ship. I also operated CB radios in the early 1980s.
I am now retired but I am a qualified mechanical engineer and have workshop experience gained during my early career working as a mechanical instrument maker. After a period as a Quality Engineer, I moved into Systems Engineering where I gained experience of computer modelling of dynamic systems.

My interest in computing was originally stimulated by writing Fortran programs whilst at university. The advent of the micro-processor and the interest it generated amongst electronic hobbyists saw me building the Junior Computer, a design published by Elektor Magazine in about 1979/1980. This was a single board computer, based on the KIM 1 design, using a 6502 chip with a 1MHz clock. It was programmed in machine code through a hex keyboard with a display using six 7-segment LED display devices. The rapid growth of machines based on the IBM PC took me away from building computers and more into programming and use of applications. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to read and experiment with the hardware and firmware during those days of rapid advance in the technology. However, I now own four Raspberry Pi boards, which are waiting to be used in one or more projects. My first board eventually arrived in July 2012 but I have been too busy to do much with them yet.

My retirement has brought me more time to pursue my scientific interests, one of which is radio in all its magnificent detail and another is astronomy. I am hoping to combine these two by building equipment and experimenting with amateur radio astronomy. My new licence is the gateway to so many opportunities to explore the wonders of physics and the universe!

I am a member of the local radio club, Farnborough and District Radio Society and the Farnham VHF group, which is responsible for the repeaters GB3FN (70cm), GB3FX (6m) and GB3FM (23cm) together with microwave beacons GB3FNM. I also a member of RSARS because of my connections to the Royal Signals, and a member of VMARS. I joined when I bought my Clansman equipment (see below). I am a member of the UKSMG and an active member of NE Hants Raynet.

I acquired a Clansman PRC320 ex-MOD HF man-pack radio in June 2012 and also an ex-MOD Land Rover 110. As of July 2013, I have installed both the Clansman PRC320 and PRC352 in my Land Rover 110, have an ex-Army Racal lightweight 12m telescopic mast, and several ex-Army antenna systems. The PRC320 covers 2MHz to 30 MHz and the PRC352 covers 30Mhz to 70Mhz VHF.

I made my first QSO using the PRC 320 on 2012-09-06. QSO with J40TSL in Thessaloniki in N Greece on 17m USB. Used a 5.5m vertical wire ground plane antenna rigged from a ex-MOD 5.4 temporary mast. Nice to know that the radio works.

I may add more to this epistle as time goes bye!! 73s and thanks for reading it.

Equipment

Rigs: Yaesu FT-817ND, Yaesu FT-857, Yaesu FT-897, Yaesu FT-8900R and Wouxun KG-UV6D
Ex-army Clansman PRC320 and PRC351/2 manpack radios
ATU: LDG YT-100 automatic ATU
Homebuilt VK5JST Aerial Analyser
Antennas: Homemade 2m Slim Jim mounted in loft, Maldol Comet GP15N?? triband colinear antenna (6m, 2m, 70cm)
Ex army Racal 12m pushup mast, Clansman 5.4m fibreglass masts and associated long wire dipoles, Clansman Wideband "Pineapple" VHF antenna, Clansman Inverted V VHF antenna.
various other pieces of Clansman equipment.