Fifty years on six metres
Andrew Hodges has chased VHF DX from Victoria, the Territory, Singapore and now the Barossa. These days the bench is full of microwave transverters.
I have been a licensed amateur since the early 1970s. My first callsign was VK3ZZK, and from the start I followed my passion for VHF, working mostly on 6 metres and 2 metres. Work moved me around and brought several callsigns with it. Most of my activity was as VK8AH (which I still hold) and as 9V1TT in Singapore, and now as VK5UR.
Six metres is still my main interest, on SSB and CW, and more recently on the digital modes with FT8. On 6 m I hold DXCC and WAC.
“More recently I have taken an active interest in VHF and microwaves: 2 m, 70 cm, 23 cm, 13 cm, 9 cm, 6 cm and 3 cm.”
The antennas here are more modest than at my VK8 location: mainly a 6-element 6 m yagi, plus 2 m and 70 cm for satellite and terrestrial work. On HF I use a Hustler 6BTV, and I have had some amazing results with magnetic loops.
My gear was Icom for many years: IC-7800, IC-7610, IC-9700, an IC-7100 running remote, and an ID-5100. More recently I have moved to the FlexRadio 6700, a fun move into SDR.
I confirm through LoTW and eQSL, and with Ham Radio Deluxe and MacLoggerDX the uploads are quick. Direct cards are welcome, with some delay. I look forward to working you on the bands.
On the bench, on the wall, in the log
See the projects from 13 cm transverters to the 3 cm portable, the awards going back to WAC on 6 m in 1989, and the last 100 contacts.