Biography

G'Day from Downunder,

VK4FI is an Advanced Class (Full Call) amateur radio station operated by Steven Dudley. I was first licenced as Amateur Radio Operator in 2010. In that year I gained my Foundation Amateur Radio Licence and was issued the call VK4FSRD. I was a late stater to Amateur radio gaining my first licence at 49, however, I have been involved in Radio and Communications since I first got the bug back the early days of Citizen Band (CB) radio in Australia in 1977.

I was on CB for a number of years and then in 1984 I enlisted in the Australian Army and was allocated to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. I served in a number of locations within Australia and Overseas during my 24 plus years of service in the Corps. I finished my fulltime military career as a Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) (E-7), Information Systems Manager in July 2008. I am still serving at the same rank and position as a Reserve Soldier (part-time).

I had planned on studying for an Amateur Licence back in the 1970's but work and personal life became more important, so it was only in 2010, that I again got the bug and decided that I needed to do something about getting a licence. So within 4 weeks of deciding that the time was right, I had done some quick study of the current regulations and sat the exam. I passed and was licenced as VK4FSRD.

In 2017 after 6 years as a F Call licence holder I thought it was about time that I upgraded and started playing with all the digital modes and open the horizons on new bands and a little more power. So again some study and some exams and I now have been granted an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency (Advanced) and was issued the callsign VK4FI. As well as my Australian Licence I hold a US General Class Licence to operate with the callsign KS7EVE. You can also hear me signing as VJ4G during contests.

I have been married to my wife Sharan since 1985 and we have 4 adult children. Our oldest Daughter and her husband live in Toowoomba a short drive from our QTH, our youngest son and his partner are living in Kingsthorpe about a 20 min drive from the QTH and our oldest son and youngest daughter are living with my wife and I. We also have 5 adorable granddaughters and a grandson who have Gramms and Pop wrapped around their little fingers and are just spoiled rotten.

73 de Steve

“CERTA CITO”

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Yaesu FT-991A
Hustler 6-BTV Multiband HF Vertical
OCF Dipole
40 Mtr Longwire