G1YQY was interested in radio long before he was G1YQY if you see what I mean..

Back in 1972 for his 14th birthday, Dad got him a VEF204 receiver from Stan Willetts in West Bromwich High Street. £7!

A long wire (old transformer winding) strung along the rain gutter SWL’ing AM DX, and still have a QSL card from radio Austraila from 1974!

The VEF 204 was a Russian AM receiver, built like a brick toilet block. It was still working in the mid 80’s when his XYL ‘dropped’ it…..

Radio, the story so far...

By 1980 I had a Midland 3001 AM CB, with DV27 on a metal tray in the loft…..

AM CB was very good, but once legalised on to FM in 1981 in my opinion, it went downhill… Lownote was my handle. (because I play the bass!)

Used to chat to ‘Mr Chips’ (now G1ZOE) and he too wanted to get into Amateur radio, we got introduced to G1SHQ, Geoff, (now G0KNM) who entertained me in his shack, I was hooked!

Joined the West Bromwich Central Radio Club and in July 1987 took the RAE.

Pleased to say I passed (well two distinctions actually!) and off went my application to the Post Office in Chesterfield, long before the days of ‘SSL’ or even Ofcom!

Still into radio, still enjoy listening as much as talking, still have a number of AM broadcast stations in my HF rig’s memories when I fancy as listen. Not quite the same now that Radio Moscow doesn't mention an 5 year plans any more!

VEF 204

Radio

Australia

QSL 1974