Biography
I was first licensed in 1967 as G8BDU (shortly after my 15th birthday) and then, having managed to pass the morse test, as G3WZD in November 1967. I recently had G8BDU re-issued to me - just for fun...
Having spent 23 years in Asia (licensed as 9V1UG), I returned to the UK in 2002 and have reactivated my rigs in 2008, having been QRT for several years. I am active on most HF bands (almost exclusively CW), plus SSB & CW on 2m.
I operate /P during the summer and am occasionally active during the 2M SSB activity contests.
Current projects include a 40m Moxon and a 4-Square, also for 40m.
Aside from radio, I enjoy rugby (union). I coached junior rugby for Bath Youth (we won the Somerset County Championship as U14 in the 2010/11 season) and previously for Bradford on Avon RFC in Wiltshire; I am now in my 10th season as an RFU qualified referee but non-eleite rugby is on hold due to Covid-19.
I enjoy sailing (I operated as G3WZD/MM Region 3 for many years) and scuba diving, but only in tropical waters, HI HI. I also enjoy riding my 2018 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special, but must confess to being a fair weather rider...
Worked DXCCs:
Equipment
FTdx101D + Quadra VL1000 amp
FTdx3000 + AL811H amp
Icom IC-7300 + IC2KL amp
FT-101ZD
FT991
Icom IC-706MKIIG
Optibeam 9-5
Optibeam 1-40
Monoband wire dipoles for 160/80/40/30
1/4 wave monoband vertical for 40m
Beverage-on-Ground RX antenna running NW/SE
Innovantenna 5-ele 6m LFA
Begali Adventure & Expedition and Spirit-2 paddles, plus assorted other straight keys, paddles and bugs.