I  was first licensed in 1983 having become a radio amateur after some years as an SWL, then  became a member of the Grimsby Amateur Radio Society in the same year, and has been Chairman of the society on a couple of occasions. At present I am resting from having an official position within the club, my only duty at this time is as the keeper of the GB3GY repeater.

At  first I became interested in amateur radio aged about eight, having noticed the aerial of G3RSD seen from the allotment gardens at the rear of my  house.  Curiosity aroused I asked my  father what the wire was for,  Dad said "it was an aerial belonging to a radio ham and that he could talk to people all over the world on his radio." Although never brave enough to investigate any further, the next move was to begin to listen to my  father's portable radio, a Grundig Yacht Boy.  With this radio the world of short waves was explored, and various ways of improving the reception with lengths of wire round the bedroom were used.

Later it was noticed that on certain occasions, the television set was disturbed by pictures from a great distance away. Another new avenue was opened and time was spent looking for and watching DX television. Exploring differing propagation modes most European countries have been seen. The knowledge gained by these experiences has been put to use in amateur radio. The most recent years have seen the use of the computer in the radio shack and the use of packet radio, but the listening and the watching still goes on!

mailto:adrian.patton@ntlworld.com