Packet Radio.
I was actively involved with the packet radio scene for a long time when
I lived in Merseyside. I was Chairman of the North West Packet Users Group
for 3 years and an ordinary committee member for two years before that.
I started out with a BSX2 and an old Sommerkamp TS-80 on 2m at 1k2 baud
when I was first licensed but I soon progressed to running 9k6 baud. Converting
my BSX2 to 9k6 was easy as was modifying a Motorola MC80 to run at 9k6
aswell. Later on I switched to using a USCC card. I was surprised that
despite having an excellent BBS providing 9k6 access very few people in
the area were prepared to put in a little effort to move to 9k6.
My last packet contact before moving house was on August 26th. In the
10 years I was QRV for packet I reckon to have built about 15 BSX2 TNCs
for NWPUG, 2 USCC>4 cards, 20+ RMNC cards and 3 TNC2H. I've lost count
of the number of radios and TNCs I've modified or fixed. If you want any
help, advice or need something repairing mail
me.
NWPUG provides network support in the North West of England for a variety
of BBS and DXclusters aswell as being one of the largest Baycom
distributors in the world. Click here
for more information on NWPUG.
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VHF Contesting.
I really enjoy VHF (and higher) contesting. Now I've moved to Scotland
I hope to operate in some of the microwave contests. I used to operate
my
old local club's contest station. They normally use the callsign GW4MGR
for VHF contests and GW0MGR for UHF and above. The last last few years
I was operating we concentrated on the RSGB's
2m VHF Backpacker's Contests. You can see the results
for 1998 here. Due to pressures of work and badly timed holidays I
didn't get time to operate in 1999 and 2000 has been lost to relocation
!
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Wirral and District ARC.
I was treasurer for 1999 and 2000 till moving before that I was the Chairman
for 4 years. WADARC makes an effort to have an interesting and varied calendar
of events and activities. If you are in the area it is well worth a visit
on a Wednesday night. Click here
for more info.
WADARC have run a 2m ARDF in the Clocaenog Forest in 1996, 1997 and
1999. For more info about previous events and to see the photo galleries
click here.
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Amateur Satellites
For more infomation on satellites check out AMSAT-UK
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Just for a laugh here are some pictures of my old shack. You don't
realize how much junk you accumulate till you have to box it and carry
down a loft ladder. Needless to say I have since had a good clear out and
work has started on building a new shack at my new house. This one wont
be up in the attack where you freeze your nuts off in Winter and sweat
like a pig in the Summer.
The old shack pictures.
Last modified 14th February 2001