Radio and Electronics
A little bit about me.
Born in Melbourne Victoria and lived in the eastern suburbs for 10 years. We moved to Bendigo, central Victoria for 6 years. While in Bendigo I started learning about electronics and mechanics, doing quite well in these subjects at school and building electronic kits and such at home. When I turned 16 we moved to Camperdown, in the southwest of Victoria.
This is where I discovered HF radio! My first radio was a 27MHz AM, SSB CB radio, a second hand Pearce Simpson super lion MKII with 5 watts on AM and 12.5 watts on SSB. I had the radio setup in my bedroom with a car ¼ wave antenna mounted with a car gutter mount base on the side of the roof outside my window. During summer when the skip was in I would often get as far north as Mackay and Cairns North Queensland (about 2500 and 2900 kms), with the odd trip to Fitzroy crossing in Western Australia (about 3400 kms) and once to a station on the north island of New Zealand (about 3300 kms). During the third year at Camperdown I completed a certificate in electronics.
The next two years were spent between Geelong on the weekends and holidays and Ballarat were I completed a diploma in applied sciences – fire technology. While I was in Ballarat I discovered UHF CB and promptly got myself a Philips FM900 with an output of 50 watts (I still have this radio and its in working order). At the time there were quite a few power games going on (and still is).
In 1997 I started an apprenticeship in electrical fitting and motor rewinding and on completion I also obtained my electrical licence. In 2004 I came over to Perth for a fly in fly out job in the Pilbara, and in early 2005 I made the move from Victoria to Perth and got married.
Up until 2008 I mainly played on the UHF CB band until I made the move to get my Amateur radio licence. I obtained my Foundation licence at Ham college over a weekend in December and thanks to some gentle persuasion from VK6BDO I came back the following weekend and completed my Standard licence. I have since moved to Paraburdoo in the north of Western Australia and I’m only just setting up my first true QTH with Amateur radio equipment.
I now have a small hobby block in Woodanilling and i'm looking forward to setting up a purpose built shack for me to operate on my R&R and holidays.
I’m looking forward to hearing from radio amateurs from all over the country and the world, 73's Matthew.
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