I live with my Wife Judy, in the Sunny Seaside resort of Bournemouth,
in the County of Dorset, Southern England.

I was Born in 1950, in the small rural town of "Wootton Bassett"
in North Wiltshire. (About 70 miles north of Bournemouth).

My serious interest in Short Wave Listening began in 1963. When at the age of 13,
I joined the local Air Training Corps. (1244 then 2398 Squadron).
Morse code was one of the many subjects taught and we had a Radio shack,
with an 1154/1155 ww2 Aircraft radio and a "modern" Eddystone 358.
Our Radio Instructor was the very well respected Dick Rugg G2BRR SK.
Dick was a very good friend of mine for over 40 years, until his demise
in May 2002. He is the person I hold responsible, for my current obsession
with both Radio listening and the International Short Wave League.

I left School in July 1965 and spent a very boring 9 months, working for
the American "Square D" Corporation , as a "Pre Apprentice" in the
Sheet Metal and Welding workshop at their U.K.'s Swindon factory. They
were a good employer, but I dreaded the thought of working in a factory,
for the rest of my working life!.

So, in 1966 I joined the Royal Air Force as an Apprentice Telegraphist.
I started my Service life in the 306th. Apprentice Entry at RAF Cosford,
in the County of Shropshire.

A Year later I was let loose operationally, with a CW speed of 22 WPM.
I served in several parts of the world. Including Singapore and Thailand,
( with "stop overs" in several Countries, including Cyprus, Gulf States,
Gan in the Maldive Islands, Malaya and Hong Kong ).

Other less exotic places were also visited, both in the UK and around the world.
Plus a 12 Month tour of duty in Bahrain (1970-71), where I held the
Ham Radio Callsign - MP4BIM.
(I also operated the Club station - MP4BBA and the JOTA Station – MP4BS).

In 1968 I had the pleasure of taking part in both, the Royal Tournament at
Earls Court in London and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
( Helping to celebrate the RAF's 50th. Birthday. )

Following an 18 month tour of "Playing Soldiers" with " B.C.F "
at 50 TSU, the Tactical Signals Wing of 38 Group, at RAF Tangmere,
(Now TCW), I remustered to the more demanding roles of "TG.4"
(later to become TG.5) and stayed there until the end of my service.

Unfortunately, a permanent Spinal injury in early 1972, greatly reduced
my mobility and brought my RAF service to a halt. ( I was eventually discharged
from RAF Lyneham in September 1973, as a Service Pensioner - aged 23 ).

A further 20 years of Local Government service,
took me up to early retirement in 1993*, at the grand old age of 43!.
(* Due to my reduced mobility and the fact,
that I had recently become an Epileptic etc. ).

My Wife Judy is also "Very physically challenged"
at times, due to a serious Road Traffic Accident in 1986.

We have been very happily married for over 30 years and live a very quiet
and independent life, with our home and my Computer Room / Radio Shack,
as the centre of our Universe.

Since Retirement my obsession with Radio has increased even more.
I now spend around 90 hours a week in my shack. My main Listening modes
are CW, RTTY, PSK, SSTV, and receiving HF Weather Fax
and SYNOP pictures from around the world.

I am Honorary Life Vice President of the International Shortwave League.
( Having previously held the posts of Council member, Treasurer and President).
The ISWL is an International Radio Club founded in 1946 and for 60 Years,
has provided facilities enabling both Licensed Amateurs and SWL's,
to enjoy their hobby to the great advantage to themselves and fellow enthusiasts.

I participate in several SWL Contests and Awards throughout the year.
I also run a FREE Internet DX news service, that is available World wide,
to anyone and everyone. ( See the details are on "The Shack" page. )

I am currently working towards the ISWL's Class 1 Broadcast Bands Award.
It is a novelty to hear all the commercial shortwave broadcast stations,
that fill the Non Ham part of the radio spectrum, but with 123 of the
required 140 Countries heard to date, I will be pleased when I have completed
the award, so that I can get back to the Ham bands, as CW and Data
transmissions are far more interesting to listen to!.

I have also tried to become interested in the various ACARS programmes, but find the mode BORING!. So I will stick to CW, SSTV, PSK and RTTY.

I studied for my UK RAE exams in 1972, but did not apply
for a G4Axx callsign, as I had no further interest in transmitting
after my Bahrain Tour finished and I returned to the UK.

I STILL HAVE NO INTEREST IN TRANSMITTING
OR HOLDING A HAM TICKET AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

My Wife Judy totally Supports my hobby so,
RADIO RULES this QTH - OK!!

Whilst in Local Government Service, I qualified as a Cost and Executive Accountant. I am an ex Associate member of both the Institute of Cost & Executive Accountants (ICEA), and the Faculty of Business Administrators (FBA).

In my more able bodied days, I was a Scout Leader in both England and Bahrain,
an adult instructor for a short time, with both 1244 & 2398 Sqn's. Air Training Corps,
and a member of H.M. Coastguard Auxiliary Service, at the Hengistbury Head
lookout station in Bournemouth. (My Service number was SO.133)

My other interests include listening to British Brass Bands,
(both military and civilian).

Also most "60s" and classical music, especially Bach and Mozart.
( My web page music is by Mozart ).

Judy and I, collect China Wall Plates and Thimbles,
from around the world.

I also spend time supervising the 75+ garden Gnomes
and other "little people" who have safe sanctuary in our garden.

They are given the best of care including Naval rescue
if they fall into the local pond's.

Some people do not like Gnomes!.

I cannot understand why, as they are friendly little chaps
who cause no trouble. They do not answer back, they are less trouble
than growing things in pots, or having to cut lawn's etc.

They are also very useful for throwing at any Cats
that stray into our garden.

So to all Gnome hater's Jack ( below )
has a message for you!

Details of my FREE DX News Service can be found on my "Shack Page",......You can read the Archives or sign up on the spot.....No Hassle, No Fire, No Spam......So WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY??

PLEASE SEND ME an E-Mail and SAY "HELLO"
( Please include your Callsign or SWL Number if applicable )

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