Biography
I have worked most of my life working in the electronics industry designing instrumentation, telecom and communications devices, robotics and obscure electronic requirements for various industries. I have worked in Canada, the US, Japan, Siberia, Benin and Gabon.
I've been a HAM since I was 6, but finally got licensed in 1988! I love working on old equipment, building stuff, and experimenting. I think that is why I did not get licensed until 88. Even today, I am rarely on the air. One of the main reasons is that the shack is full of equipment needing repair, some of it mine, but much of it others.
In the early 90's I was quite active on 6M, making non-local contacts several times a day. It really is the Magic Band. It can open and close in minutes, and if you aren't on it, you won't know.
after moving to a new QTH, the lack of a tower now makes 6M and VHF difficult, and nearby power lines prevent most HF work. JT-65 gets through, but that is about it.
My Sunaire 9000 is my favorite HF rig. I has an add on DSP that has fantastic sound. Even at low bandwidths, there is no ringing at all making for a much more pleasant experience.
The IC-761 is used almost daily, mostly for listening to the local AM stations. There's too much equipment in front of the station awaiting repair to actually put it to use!! I am one of the few people in Western Canada that will even consider repairing HAM gear, so I am kept pretty busy, which is perfect. I really do love working on the stuff, and the older the better!
Equipment
Antennas: Magnetic loops for HF, 6M, 2M and 440
Yagi's for 2M, 440, 900, 1296, 2400
Longwire for 80 thru 6M
HF Gear: Sunaire 9000, IC-706, IC-761, Heathkit, Kenwood, Hammarlund, Hallicrafters
and Yeasu
VHF Gear: FT-726, FT-736, all kinds of Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu radios, plus many others.
Test gear: An assortment of HP, Tektronics, Bird and other manufacturers. 8 oscilloscopes, 6 spectrum analyzers, an assortment of small component testers, power supplies and custom made devices.