Biography

QRA: IO80FK WAB: SX60 RSGB member since 1973

Licensed originally in February 1975 at the age of 14 as G8JWN moving to G0ORC in 1990 after many hours of CW practice and the support of the local ham community.

As G8JWN started in the days of homebrew crystal controlled AM moving to homebrew and modified PMR FM.First commercial rig was a Trio/Kenwood TR-2200GX with the matching VFO and VB2200GX 10w amplifier.Spent a long time working 2m SSB with FT290 and 2M/70cm FM mobile. Active then on mechanical RTTY with a Creed 7E and homebrew ST5 TU and then G3PLX homebrew. Wow! Silent RTTY

G0ORK saw me with a (then brand new) Kenwood TS850SAT. Living at that time less than half a mile from the then sole approved UK Kenwood retailer wasn't always good for my wallet....
Tried most modes RTTY, AX25, SSTV, FSTV, PSK and more exotic digital over the years.

Back on the bands in a more permanent way in 2017 with ICOM 7300, FT847, TS60, TS790 & FT736R so I have capability from top band to 23cm. Icom IC9700 will be here soon !!

Antenna space is limited so using I3VHF loop,40m inverted V (N-S), StepIR BIGIR and an assortment of metal on 6m and up.

Interest now is SDR, WXSAT's and still tinkering doing home builds and operating HF WARC bands as well as taking advantage of E's on 6,4 and 2m. My aspiration is get my CW back up to speed and (re)master handling my small collection of vibroplex keys.

If you hear me come and say hello!
73 Steve

Equipment

Icom IC-7300, IC-505S, Yaesu FT-847, FT736R,FT-690II Kenwood TS-60,TS-790E.
Various keys: Vibroplex, Bencher,Junker and Hi-mound keys (Straight,Single/Double paddles and bug varieties!)