Biography

I live in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne.

My interest in radio began in the early 60’s operating CB, which at the time was illegal. So we were regarded as Pirate operators. As pirates we were pursued by RI’s (Radio Inspector) and if caught the radio equipment was confiscated and the operator possibly fined.

I was first licenced as an Amateur in 1989 obtaining an Amateur Operator’s Limited Certificate of Proficiency call sign VK3TGS with restrictions on RF power and Bands.

I obtained my Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency call sign VK3FMH in 1992 after passing Telegraphy (CW) sending and receiving at 10wpm.

With the passing of a good Amateur friend, his call sign VK3TV, was passed on to me in 1999.

Most of my working life was in telecommunications as a linesman and cable jointer. I started training in 1966 with then then PMG (Post Master General) which over time became Telecom then Telstra.

I’ve been a volunteer member of the Epping Fire Brigade and CFA (Country Fire Authority) since 1969 and held various roles within the brigade. Currently I am Operational Support and do not attend fire calls. I use Uniden UBCD436-PT for monitoring local fire and emergency services.


My venture into DMR started August 2020 with a Retevis RT3S and Pi-Star Hotspot.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

My current home station includes:-

Icom 718, Yaesu FT-101E & Yaesu FT7 for HF.

Yaesu FTM 3200D for VHF Analog and Digital.

Icom 207H VHF/UHF Dual Band Analog

Home base antennas include:-

Center fed Inverted V

End fed long wire for HF.

Station Master 10m Vertical (Converted 11m CB Antenna)

Diamond F22A Monoband Virtical for VHF.

X300 Dual band Virtical for VHF/UHF

Mobile:-

CS800D Dual-Band DMR and Analog and a Diamond dual band antenna.

For potable use on WWFF - World Wide Flora & Fauna I am using a Ziegu G90 HF 20W SDR & 40m EFHW antenna.

Other Antennas include, 9m telescopic Squid Pole (Fishing Pole) with the vertical using coils for 80m 7m and 20m. I can also use the pole to support an end fed wire. My other antenna is a Komunica HF-PRO-2-Plus- T which is a telescopic Multi-Band.