| Callsign |
VK5PO |
| Name |
John F. McRae |
| Location |
Eden Valley, PF95MM
440m ASL |
| DOB |
11th JULY 1962 |
| Year first licenced for AR |
approx 1985 as VK5NJF |
| What VHF+ bands are you active on |
6 sort of, and 2m |
| Favourite VHF+ band |
6 has the excitement of
very rare DX, 2m is fantastic when sporadic E, Aurora etc are prevelant |
| Favourite VHF+ mode |
ALL modes...Including CW!! |
| Favourite VHF+ propagation mode |
TEP, Sporadic E...well,
all propagation types |
| I got started in radio when |
I was about 9 yrs
old... built a Xtal set that Rx'ed 50Hz hum perfectly hihi |
| What I like most about VHF+ DX is |
Surprises... like 59+60
fm qso's with lots of VK6's on the Indian ocean coast (on 2m) |
| Toughest thing about VHF+ DX is |
Getting a 2 way qso
with a VK8, so that I can apply for WAS on 2m!!! |
| The best set up I have had for VHF+ DX is |
11el on 6m... 2 x 12 el
K1FO yagi's on 2m etc |
| Favourite station to contact |
A local station via a
FM repeater in VK6-=Land...VK5KCX-VK5PO 30km apart... working each other
several times over the years on repeaters in VK6... Bunbury, Perth,
Albany, Busselton, Lake Kellerberin etc |
| Most memorable contact and why |
VK0IX on cw...50.2Mhz
14 Jan 1997 Antarctic Mainland at Casey Station |
| Most memorable propagation opening or condition and why |
all have the memorable
aspect about them! |
| People most admired in AR |
The "quiet
acheivers" guys that do a lot, but are just happy to take it
all in their stride without going over the top |
| I'm really good at |
CW, staying up all
night, keeping Skeds! etc... oh, I can eat TIM TAMS fast also!2M hi hi |
| I'm really bad at |
working VK8 stations on
2m hihi |
| Favourite music |
most types...play Bass |
| Favourite TV show |
Current affairs TV |
| Favourite food |
Quality Junk Food |
| Favourite drink |
the
"Ubiquitous" FARMERS UNION ICE COFFEE of course!!!!!!! |
| What really annoys you |
where do I
start????????? |
| I wish I could stop |
Smoking...filthy
cigarettes |
| Biggest regret |
not buying the 11 acres
about 4 years agao! |
| I hope I never have to |
See my EX wife ever
again! |
| Smartest thing I've ever done |
GOT a Full call ham
ticket |
| Dumbest thing I've ever done |
leaving some of my
radio gear at my house when I shifted out! |
| Best advice I've ever had |
"John, Hope is NOT
a way OUT, it is a WAY THROUGH" |
| Advice to new VHF+ DX'ers |
build good antennas,
and have enthusiasm... the rest happens!! |
| Future VHF DX goals |
Still looking for a VK8
on 2m PLEASE |
| Other Hobbies/Interests |
Computers, HILLMAN
HUNTERS, photography (Film and Digital) satelitte stuff, restoring valve
radio's, electronics etc etc. |
