Biography

I am located just south of Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland. My training in amateur radio has been an adventure, I gained my Foundation license on 4 June 2015, then on 4 June 2016 I passed my Intermediate exam. Travelling to Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, I achieved a pass in the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate (HAREC) on 2 June 2016. I also passed the morse code test and received the Irish call EI8KX . Finally on 16 December 2016 I successfully sat the UK Advanced examination following study with the Bath ARC distance learning programme. My locator square is IO74cm and my WAB square is J46.

In December 2017 I started learning Morse Code and now CW has taken over and I now rarely operate any other mode, using both a straight key or a twin paddle key. I recommend enlisting with the CW Academy courses to get you on the key! CW has become very addictive! I now volunteer as an advisor for CW Academy and every Tuesday I activate GB2CW on 145.250 FM for those wishing to improve their CW skills.

I belong to the following clubs: Straight Key Century Club, #18067, FISTS #18434, CWops #2081, LICW #1264 the G-QRP Club #15680 and The North American QRP CW Club #9215

I am also QSL manager for the special event station GB0GLS commemorating the work of the Gilnahirk radio listening station which operated from 1940 to 1978. I also am active in the Radio Security Service Memorial ARS, Gi5TKA, an RSGB affiliated club.

Worked DXCCs:

Equipment

Elecraft K3S and KX2. Various kit CW transceivers.
Cushcraft MA5B mini beam and 40-80 trapped dipole.
Diamond x510N for 2M and 70CM