Biography

Born on 8 November 1932. Got interested in SWLing in 1948. As at that time amateur radio stations were not permitted I got on the air unlicensed as LZ1KY in April 1950 with 3 watts output into a Windom antenna on 14 MHz CW. My first ever CQ was answered by VK6RU, Jim, who gave me RST 579! Some 47+ years I received his QSL card which I treasure, of course!

Back in 1951 we were permitted to operate club stations only and I used to operate LZ1KAB, the Central Radio Club station. I got my ticket as LZ1AF in 1957 and have been active ever since mostly on CW. My main interests are DXing and chatting with radio friends. I am a member of the FOC, A1 Op, RCC, FISTS, CWops, President of the LZ CW Club and assigned the call sign LZ9CWC to run LZCWC's Round Tables and other activities.

I am an artist/designer by trade and retired as Director of the State Commission for Arts and Architecture in 1992. Designers never retire from their job and I still work part time as designer and consultant at the private company ACOM in Sofia manufacturing the now world famous ACOM HF amplifiers and other communication equipment.

At present my ham set up consists of a Kenwood TS590S transceiver, ACOM-built ETO 91b
1.5 kW amplifier, 6 element logperiodic antenna 14-28 MHz and 80 m long wire for the lower bands.

My other interest is classical music and I have got a huge collection of masterpieces.

Equipment

Married, have a daughter and a grandson, now 26 years old but they moved Australia 20 years ago and settled in Brisbane, VK4. Well, what a coincidence that VK was my first ever QSO which ignited my ham radio career!

I will be very pleased to meet on the air all those who may have read this - on CW or SSB on request.

73! Dimiter, LZ1AF

19 April 2012