I became interested in electronics when I was around 12 years old. At the age of 15 years I passed the Novice Licence exams and held the call VK5PWJ. Less than 12 months later I had passed the Unrestricted licence (Full Call) exams and held the call VK5BWZ.

When I left high school I worked as a Technician at an AM Broadcasting station. Had a lot of fun working in this area. After about 2 years working in broadcasting I started work in telecommunications as a Technical Officer. Initially working in the transmission area (SHF radio, analogue and digital multiplexing including optical multiplexing) and later in analogue and digital switching (old crossbar ARF exchange and then the digital AXE exchange). I have also worked on Siemens EWSD and Alcatel telephone exchanges.

I moved to Adelaide in 1995. I was QRT for a few years and decided to change my call to a 2 letter suffix and was issued the current callsign.

Iremain employedin the telecommunications industry in a managerial role, managing the network in South Australia and The Northern Territory. I have an Associate Diploma in Engineering (Electronics) and a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA).

I ama Board Director of a not-for-profit organisation supporting telecommunications and utilities infrastructure.

In addition to telecommunications engineering I am also a qualified Commercial Pilot and Senior Flight Instructor. I worked for a number of years teaching Day/Night VFR and IFR on both single and multi-engine aircraft. I also hold an aerobatic rating and enjoyed doing aero's in the Cessna C150 Aerobat.

My station is located 25 kms North from the centre of Adelaide.

On HF I use a Kenwood TS-940S/AT and an Emtron DX-2 Amplifier. I prefer to tailor my audio and use an EQ-Plus, W2IHY 8 band equaliser and Heil GM-4 microphone.

The HF antenna for 20/15/10m is a Chirnside CA-33 3 element yagi at a height of approximately 10 metres. I have owned this antenna for approximately 25 years. I use a Butternut HF2V vertical for 80/40m due to limited space in my backyard.

On 6 metres I use a 5 element yagi. This is visible in the photographs above the triband yagi. The transceiver for 6 metres is the Yaesu FT-857D.

For satellite work I use a Yaesu FT-847 Earth Station. The antennas used are a 5 element crossed-yagi for 145MHz (LHCP) and a 9 turn helical antenna (RHCP) for 435MHz.

ForMode SI use an ex-MMDS grid-pack antenna.

To rotate the satellite antennas I use a Yaesu G5500 rotator. Satellite prediction, doppler correction and antenna orientation is accomplished using SatPC32 software. Antenna automation is provided by the LVB tracker interface.

I plan to upgrade the antenna's when time permits to incorporate LH/RHCP switching on the x-yagi, add another 10 elements to the 2m yagi and build a 70cm x-yagi. Can't say when except when I have the time!

QSL's are okay either direct or via the bureau. I send cards via the bureau on a regular basis. No IRC's required if QSLing direct.

I also upload QSO's toLoTW.

Member of the WIA, ARRL, FIST #9634 and SKCC #8933

Thanks for the enjoyable QSO and I hope to hear you again.

Best 73,

Paul