Biography

I am a past president and current member of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club (SCARC). I am QRV on all HF bands, 6m, 2m and 70 Cm. Main interest is in the 6 meter Band, and 6 Meter DX, mostly on Phone, but occasionally on CW (not overly keen on the Key). I was born in 1945, and got my first Ham ticket in 1960, at the age of 15. I am currently an accredited WIA assessor (4-019) but I am planning to relinquish this position in early December, 2014.

For the first half of my working life I worked as a Radio and TV Serviceman, mostly as a Field Tech, but I spent some years as a Work Shop Foreman. I eventually decided to take up Teaching Electronic Trades and obtained my Dip.Ed (TAFE) and a B.Ed from UQ. I taught Analogue TV from the Monochrome Valve era right through until Colour TV went Digital. Consequently, most of what I taught over the years is now history, and a thing of the past.

I retired from TAFE at the age of 52, and since then have had several part time jobs in Education, Electronics and as a "General Handy Man" for a Lions Women's Shelter. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe, N.America, Asia and the Pacific. My favorite country is Japan, where I have made many friends during the 13 times I have visited that lovely Country. I studied Japanese at the Institute of Modern Languages for 3 years, but never really mastered the Language to any great extent.

I enjoy caravanning with my wife Judi, and hope to do lots more of that in the future. I like to home brew all of my antennas and I enjoy experimenting with different types and designs. Some time ago I built a large Magnetic Loop for 160 Meters, and I am very pleased with its performance. The best antenna I ever built was a 2 element HB9CV "Swiss Quad", which served flawlessly for over 25 years. Soon I will be 70 years of age, and I feel as though I am now qualified to offer some good advice... "life is short, so make memories". 73, Harvey, VK4AHW

Equipment

FT817, FT857, FT990, Alinco DX-70, IC-208H, IC-575H, numerous VHF/UHF Hand Helds and a 3 Bay SHED full of Pre-Loved Electronic Equipment (Junk, according to XYL Judi). Test Equipment includes a Rigol DS1052E Digital CRO, a pair of Marconi Sig Gens (TF2011 and TF2012) and heaps more.