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Hi, I’m Sean and I am the International Editor of WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook) and was Editor of the Shortwave Guide (now out of print). I am also the Editor of the WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide CD, which is available from the WRTH website (it is a great reference tool for monitoring the broadcast bands).
I was born in 1967 and my Amateur Radio (Ham) callsign is G4UCJ, which I have held since 1983 (my previous callsign was G6IUT, from 1982-83). At that time I was the youngest person in the country to pass the Radio Amateurs Examination. Unfortunately that title did not last more than a few weeks, as someone who was about 3 weeks younger than me passed the next exam! Still I am proud that I achieved that by studying the RAE handbook (by George Benbow, G3HB) from cover to cover many, many times. I probably only just scraped through with a pass, but a pass is a pass and it meant that I would soon be able to talk to people on the air.
My very first QSO was with Harry Smith, G3POR who is now a silent key (SK - means he has passed on, his (Morse) Key is now silent.). We used the 2m band, FM, simplex (he only lived about 20 miles from me). I was very nervous, but got through it OK. Almost 38 years later here I am still having fun with the hobby, and still learning new things all the time.
My SWL (Short Wave Listener) identifier is G4001SWL, which I use for awards and club memberships.
We live in the county of Buckinghamshire on the very edge of a small town, almost in the countryside - however, like most places now, the surrounding areas are being built on. Housing estates are popping up all around, and with it, the ambient noise level is increasing all the time.
I have a keen interest in photography and take loads of photos from wherever we happen to be. My real interest is nature and in particular, insects/macro photography. I don’t have any special macro lenses or fancy equipment, just a camera and a standard kit zoom lens. I have a magnifier attachment that screws on the front of the lens, which gives about x10 magnification - it’s just a small, cheap chinese lens as advertised all over the internet for about £10. Works pretty well all things considered, but you have to be very close to the subject matter to be in the focal range of the lens+attachment. Most of my shots are hand held, no tripod as I tend to shoot what I see when aout and about, rather than set up dedicated photo scenes. It’s fun and I like the results. I have also been the photographer at a few weddings, done as favours for friends. Much less pressure that way.
I am teaching myself to use software to design logos and branding/advertising. I’ve got a few happy clients so must be doing something right!
All of my computer knowledge (both software and hardware) is self taught, and I am proud of that fact.
For more information about my radio activities please see other pages on this site.
Jayne, my wife (XYL), works in the care industry. Jayne holds the ham callsign of M5ASR, which she has held for 20 years. We have been married for almost 19 years.
Our eldest daughter is now at secondary school, our middle daughter has now joined her big sister at secondary school and our third (a late addition to the running order) has just started school.
To add to the fun, we have 3 guinea pigs, 2 cats (1 female and 1 male) and the latest addition is a lop-eared house rabbit!
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