Biography

Thank you for looking me up on QRZCQ, if we had a QSO I am thankful for the contact !

Born in 1964, started as a SW Listener in my teens and later became Radio Amateur in 1990 with the call sign SV2BBK.

I operate on A1A mode almost exclusively. I don't like so much "599 tu" QSOs, pile-ups and it is unlikely to find me in any contest. Prefer conversational QSOs, I value though every QSO whether it is a short call or DX exchange and always appreciate good operating practices and procedures .When answering my CQ please send my callsign, otherwise I may assume you are calling somebody else and may not answer you. Sending a single "?" without a clarifying Q signal is neither proper nor polite. If you send QRS don't hesitate to answer my CQ I will match my speed to your comfort. (not that I am a QRQ guy)

In 2021, I have been invited to become a member of the First Class CW Operators' Club (FOC), founded in 1938. The aim of the Club is to promote good Morse code operating, activity, friendship and socialising. I am also a proud member of CWops (life member), AGCW, Bug Users,ECWARC and SKCC. You may consider joining any of the above clubs as they support, promote and preserve the morse code. If you wish to learn or further develope your morse code skills I highly recommend CWops CW Academy. You can also check out the 30m CW interest group website at http://30cw.net. The 30m band is truly unique among our HF amateur radio frequency bands, contest free and excellent for DX.

Member of First Class CW Operators' Club # 2166 - (FOC)
Member of CW Operators' Club # 1976 - (CWops)
Member of Straight Key Century Club -SKCC # 15909
Member of Essex CW Amateur Radio Club # 387
Associate member of AGCW-DL # 4026
Member of BUG Users Group # 153


QSL cards Direct and eQSL ( "authentication guaranteed" ). You don`t need to enclose any IRC's or stamps in your direct QSL. SWL reports are most welcome and will be 100% replied.

Will upload my log to LoTW once a month.

I live in the city of Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece with over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, the capital of Greek Macedonia and the most important centre of the area. Its nickname is Symprotévousa, literally "the co-capital",a reference to its historical status as the Symvasilévousa or "co-reigning" city of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, alongside Constantinople. Built near the sea at Thermaikos Gulf, it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm.

My other hobbies are mountaineering, skiing, biking, star gazing, watercolour painting and sometimes I play the piano.

Hope to see you on the bands , 73 Fanis (Theo) SV2BBK

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Transceivers: Ten Tec Corsair II, Kenwood TS-430S , Kenwood TS-711 , Icom IC-471, Icom 732E

Antennas : Homebrew resonant Inverted Vee Dipoles for 40, 30, 20 and 15 m bands, actually a fan Dipole for 4 bands.Cushcraft 13b2 , 13 element boomer antenna for 2 m. All antennas on the roof of a 6 storey apartment building. Plans for a yagi-uda for 20 m. band are still plans but will get to it. ( I am halfway through). When conditions dictate it I am using a Drake MN-4C matching network to keep my transceiver happy.

And my 6 keys, a Hi Mound HK-706 , a homebrew sideswiper or cootie key, the famous Junker DBGM straight key a Kent twin paddle and a kent single paddle. Using a homebrew K3NG Arduino CW Keyer with my Kent paddles.My latest acquisition an old Lionel J-36 bug key made at 1942 for U.S Army Signal Corps. # 24184. It is in very good condition (NOS) and has a special charm. I hope to make good use of it on the air. Let's start swinging a little code and make CW a lot more fun !