Biography

Born 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 1990s, 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 230,000 QSO's logged, in 336 DXCC.

My main areas of interest are DX, CW, digimodes, antennas and VHF. 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 element and, quite often, homemade.

I am married (my XYL is also a licensed ham, although not active at the moment) and have 3 young daughters.

I am the International Editor for WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook) (www.wrth.com) and have been since 2001

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: Airspy R2 SDR; Funcube Dongle Pro plus (FCDpro+); Yupiteru MVT7100; Baofeng GT3TP MKIII, 8W dual band handheld TRX.

ADSB Rx: Prostick RTL-R820T2 based dongle with ADSB Filter and 2 element colinear @7m, into RPi and feeding 360 Radar.

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

Antennas: Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop at 4m (rotatable); CCW Active Loop in Attic (to be moved)' 2 element RHCP Turnstile for 137MHz weather satellites (used on 2m).
Future plans for antennas: I have various other antennas around, such as a 20-6m OCFD for installation in the attic; also a couple of VHF white stick-style colinears and a discone or two, plus various parts to make other antennas.

To help combat some of the man-made interference, I use an MFJ 1026, which has been a real lifesaver 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.