Biography

HamRadio, a love for life

I was born in 1951. In the first years of my life I was busy with the basics, walking upright, reading, writing and arithmetic. It must have been my experience with the tin can phone in early years which inspired in me the lasting fascination with wireless communication. When I was approximately 14, the conversion of the valve radio of my parents to short wave reception began. From then on a long wire stretched between grandfather´s apple and pear tree.
At the same time an unwavering interest in the construction of mini spy devices began, which declared as test transmitters, helped many a school friend to achieve better test results. Ultimately, it was due to the well meant advice of the local post office master, that I found the way to legalized ham radio. The world of amateur radio had opened its doors to me. Enthusiastically I began with radio operation using the callsign DCØXB at 2m, first in AM, soon also in FM, finally in SSB with the amazing output of 8W PEP. Meanwhile our house resembled an antenna with a house attached.

Unfortenately circumstances led to the fact that amateur radio only played a minor part in my career choice. I only worked with FM relay operations and read basic publications. Living in the city centre did not allow the erection of acceptable shortwave antennas. The hope for a great DX was however never lost,
especially as the current callsign DL8HWM spurned me on.

In the mid 90´s I decided to relocate to the more picturesque part of Germany. It was time to say goodbye to work and start a new life as a radio amateur. We built a house with a steel lattice mast in the surroundings of lakes, forests and gentle hills.

Today I am happy and satisfied to use the shortwave bands on 160m, 80m, 40m and 20m. In addition my antennas allow my to participate in satellite radio. At the moment I am particularly interested in the completion of my radio device for participation in the AMSAT project QO-100. Furthermore the wonderful friendship in the community of amateur radio inspired me to get involved in digital radio transmission in the frequencies of VHF and UHF. I think DMR is great and I fully accept it as part of the diversity of amateur radio.
With regard to my involvement in the local youth work, I hope that with DMR and the related association to bits and bytes, I can to establish a continuous interest for amateur radio in the youth.

Thinking back on old days I am currently back on my old callsign DCØXB.

73 Wilfried DCØXB


Ham radio generates more dreams than reality is able to destroy!