Biography

Born in in 1967, SWL since age 7. First Licensed in 1982 at age 14 (as G6IUT), then progressing to full license (and my present callsign) by passing the 12wpm Morse code test at age 15. I became a fan of CW, going on to teach Morse to several pupils at the Bletchley Park Morse centre. I was appointed an RSGB County Morse examiner in the late 1990's, recognising my dedication to helping others in following what has become a passion for me.

Although I do not transmit much these days (antenna restrictions mainly) , I am extremely active as an SWL - I have over 150,000 QSO's logged, in 330 DXCC.

My main areas of interest are DX, CW, digimodes, antennas and 6m. I have logged at least 100 DXCC entities on every band from 160m right through to 6m. My main ambition is to get WAC on 6m - I just need Oceania. My antennas are always simple, usually single elemnt and, quite often, home made.

I am married (my XYL is also a ham, although not active at the moment) and have 2 young daughters.

I am the International Editor for WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook) (www.wrth.com)

Please visit my own radio website: http://www.hfradio.org.uk

73 and hope to hear you on the bands!

Sean, G4UCJ

Equipment

HF/6m Transceiver: Icom IC-756 PRO
HF Receiver: RF Space SDR-IQ
VHF Receiver: Funcube Dongle Pro plus (FCDpro+)
ADSB rx: Netsky RTL R820T based dongle.

SW rx: Sangean ATS-909 (Roberts badge); Roberts R5504; Degen DE1103

Antennas: Dipoles for 10/15m in attic; double turnstile for 2m (also used for 137MHz weather sats) (attic); 1/4 wave gp for ADSB on 1.09GHz (attic); Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop at ground level in garden (fixed position)

Future plans for antennas: I have ready an OCFD for 40-6m to be mounted outside, also a triband (6/2/70) vertical colinear, a 5 element band 2 FM yagi ready for mounting. To move Wellbrook loop to better position and mount on rotator.

To help combat some of the man made interference, I use an MFJ 1026, which has been a real life saver on many occasions! Providing you can supply a good noise signal on one antenna and a stronger signal than noise on the other antenna, you stand a fair chance of improving the overall clarity of the wanted signal. Doesn't work 100% every time, but it works to some degree on pretty much everything.