Biography

Retired early, enjoying a return to radio interest that started in the mid-80s. This is my first amateur licence, began two days back.

Have absolutely no interest in contests - of any sort. I just want to become a better all round operator.

Am an amateur photographer with an interest in "shooting" flying birds and landscapes. I used to be a shooter (U.S. folks would say a duck hunter I think) and because of that my hearing could be better - too many years of shotgun-blast! So imperfect hearing and amateur radio aren't the best of pals really but if your audio's nice and crisp I'll manage fine.

Also an ex-biker, last bike was a 1200cc Suzuki Bandit - a nasty incident when a lady driver decided she wanted to drive on the bit of road occupied by - me - meant that all came to a very sudden end.

Si votre QTH se trouve en France meme un pays Francophone - et vous ne parle pas la langue Anglaise et m'écoute sur les ondes n'hésitez pas de lancer un appel vers mon coté. Je ne parle bien le Francais, c'est vrai, mais peut-etre ca suffit pour un petit QSO plaisirable sur des sujets bien connus a la pluspart des operateurs amateurs. A Bientot sur Vingt ou peut-etre Quarante si la propagation soit aimable!

Alors - "ici on parle (un peu de) Francais":)

And even if we struggle a little to be understood, well that can be fun too.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Antenna is a half-size (51ft) G5RV inside the loft in my small house, radio is a Kenwood TS50 that lacks many bells and whistles to be found on most up to date transceivers but seems to have a solid rep with users. Standard mike and am MFJ 949e ATU, will keep my eyes open for a decent auto tuner for the rig. Also getting set up for portable operation.

And on that subject, I just took delivery of a 33ft fibreglass flagpole to be a support-mast for an experimental wire antenna for portable operation. I think I'll go for a flex weave G5RV first of all for the sake of simplicity and tune-ability - making up home-brewed antennas can follow on once I see how practical it is to use a temporary mast like this. A couple of 12ft fishing rods can do the job of holding up each end - all of it lashed to fence posts.