Biography

HISTORY

I was first issued with my Amateur Radio License (A) for the callsign G4WKW on 14 February 1984, having previously held a G6 (B) license granted in 1983. At that time I lived in Romsey, near Southampton, Hampshire, UK.

My first use of radio was while serving in the Royal Navy, which I joined in 1967 as a Junior Seaman. After changing branches to the Weapons Electrical branch in 1970, I did a four-year apprenticeship at HMS Collingwood and HMS Intrepid to become a Radio Electrical Mechanician looking after radar and communications equipment. I served on three ships: HMS Argonaut (1969-1970), HMS Intrepid (1972) and HMS Ark Royal (1974-1976).

After leaving the Navy, I worked as a technical author writing technical publications for the navy and commercial companies. Initially, mostly for electronic equipment and systems (including radar, communications equipment, and computer-based systems), and latterly computer software. I initially worked for technical publications agencies, before becoming self-employed working on contracts.

I spent some years using CB radio prior to obtaining my first amateur radio license in 1983. I used to use the handle "SunSearcher" on that as well as the unofficial callsign KW06.

After studying at Bournemouth University, and obtaining a HND in Business Information Technology, I joined a software company based in a village north of Bournemouth. I did all sorts of different roles for that company over the twelve years I was with them including Technical Author, Webmaster, Technical Sales Manager, Product Manager, Technical Specialist and latterly Worldwide Educational Services Manager. The company grew to become a multinational and I moved to work in their new head office in San Diego California at the beginning of 2001, and lived there for nine years before returning to England in 2009.

I am now retired and living in St Keverne on The Lizard, Cornwall (after some years in Falmouth and before that Threemilestone).

RADIO INTERESTS

I have many different interests in radio but I will mention some of them here (in no particular order):

- QRP CW! (I have been practicing hard and can send comfortably at 25 WPM plus, although my receive is not that standard yet - I am working on that!). Amongst my radios, I have a trusty FT-817ND as well as kits for QCX+ (30m)and QCWmini (40m)that I have not built yet at the time of writing. I have a SOTA pole and Band Hopper aerials, so all ready to do more portable work in 2021.

- Construction and modifying Aerials and Radio Equipment (I used to do a fair bit of that originally, particularly the construction of aerials for 20m and 10m and electronics for AX25). In recent times, I have built an Arduino-based Keyer, Capacitive Touch Morse Keys, IAMBIC to Ultimatic/Emulated Single Paddle converter and have lots of kits and other projects in process.

- Building using and programming computer equipment, particularly for amateur radio use. Over the years I have used many OSs and hardware but primarily use either Linux, Raspberry Pi, or Windows these days and program Arduino and PIC micro stuff for projects.

- Chatting and making new friends using various modes and bands over radio and Network Radio (in particular Peanut and Zello). I am a moderator for the ZELLO CW CHANNEL and Owner of the ZELLO CW TRAINING channel.

- Exploring alternative methods of communication (I ran an early AX25 packet radio station in the 1980s and am now registered on EchoLink).



WEBSITE

I have a website at URL: https://g4wkw.net (maybe down for maintenance)

Thank you for reading! 73

Richard G4WKW.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

RADIOS: IC-7300, TS-850S, FT-817ND, KG-UV950P(70m version), UV-5RTP, UV-5R Plus, QCX+, QCXmini, SS9900.

HF ANTENNA: 10-80m Coil Loaded Long Wire (about to be put up), 20/30/40m Mag Loop (not in use).

OTHER ANTENNA: 6/4/2m & 70cm Coalinear (up at about 100m ASL), 2m/70cm Coalinear (will be up shortly), Slim Jim made from 450 Ohm feeder line (portable use?)

GROUPS: RSGB, RNARS 2503, FISTS 18095, GQRP 15377.