Viliam has already introduced himself to us on this portal and wrote a lot of information about how he got on the air and in his last post he described how it was at the HAM exams in Bratislava...
I already agreed with Vila some time ago that we will both introduce ourselves here and write something about ourselves. He has already kept our agreement, so it's my turn. So I'll get to the point. This post may not be interesting for everyone, but it will describe the fate of one human individual. And it will be really very interesting reading...I became interested in broadcasting as a small boy. I liked to run with my friends and wander somewhere outside, in the field or in the forest. Already in those days, the thought of some kind of mutual communication between us crept into my head. I don't even know where I first heard about a device called a walkie-talkie. Practically from that moment it was a magic word that I longed to materialize. My father was an electrician and he started me a little in this trade. One day I read in one of the smart books he owned about a transmitter and receiver, which renewed my desire to own and actually build my own radio. I didn't know much about it, I didn't even want to ask my father, so I started the construction myself. I remember that I did most of the soldering on New Year's Eve, back then under heavy communism. Both my parents were gone, I was at home only with my brother and... Actually, I don't even remember it very well. Of course, nothing came of my pilot project. It didn't work and I didn't figure out the cause (but now I know lol).
You will read in the article
First activities on CB and 11m
After all that, my activity slowed down, I graduated and finished high school, found a job... Once I was in Košice on business, where I came across a CB shop, which immediately awakened in me old feelings that were hidden somewhere deep in my subconscious. I don't even know how, and on the return trip home I was no longer alone on the train, but the so-called Polka antenna for CB band. It happened quickly. I flew into the store, looked around and, without any knowledge, bought an antenna, saying that I would buy a radio station at the next possible opportunity. It soon arrived and I bought a Danita 640 based on the ad. I would like to point out that no one helped me with this and I still don't know how I managed it. The first connections and contacts came. Golden time. But I was still dissatisfied with something. It was the peak of the solar cycle, the CB band was very noisy and I found myself on my first dx connection on FM with 4 watts in a short conversation in the presence of a Finn... It was then that something changed and I knew that the CB was not for me. Actually, I wasn't a CB-watcher for a long time. It was only a springboard that showed me the right path.
It wasn't exactly the right one. But she helped me realize what I want and what I will do for the rest of my life. I started broadcasting to you and taking an active interest in the 11 meter band, i.e. the frequencies between the CB band and 10 meters. I became an active operator who got through everyone pile-up and killed thousands of quality connections. Please don't frown at me now. We all have our own destiny... Every connection was a pleasure for me. I found many friends from practically all over the world. It was a golden time, but it also had its drawbacks. The biggest one was legality. Another was that the 11m band was filled with weak operators who got the microphone in hand and did nothing but mess up. I and many others did not like it. Playing music, whistling, disrupting connections was the order of the day. I have always tried to be a decent operator. The person asked if the frequency was occupied, was polite and followed the unwritten HAMspirit, which was followed by those who cared about the Quality and not the quantity of connections. I learned a lot during this illegal broadcast. Not only about how the real thing goes QSO, but a lot about antennas, radio stations, he gained experience from every side. However, nothing lasts forever... I started to have a strong feeling that I didn't belong there, that something else had been given to me. The real thing, nutty, as they say...
Paths of life…
Last year I returned to England again, where I had already been a few times. It was unexpected, but the ways of life are unpredictable. Of course, my last radio station that I owned went with me. I stuffed the IC-718 into my backpack and set off. The first magazine I bought in England was Practical Wireles, my favorite, intended for all radio amateurs. They wrote there about a new license group - M3, which really fascinated me and I immediately started looking for a course that I could go to and finally do amateur radio tests and become a radio amateur. It was not exactly the easiest, there were no courses in my area (London), where I was at that time. Coincidentally, when I was buying the FT-817, I ran into a good person who told me that the club he is a member of is holding a course in two weeks that will lead to the final exam, which, if I do, will make my life's dream come true. So the hand was in the sleeve and I went to the distant Sheffield, i.e. right next door, to the venue. It was a weekend course where a person was taught everything necessary to become a true radio amateur. The course consisted of several parts, it was not only theory, but also included practical broadcasting, both on HF and VHF. Personally, I found everything very easy, because I was very well loaded with all the necessary knowledge. So while the others were learning, and they really had enough,
So I had the whole weekend to broadcast and I used it accordingly. Everyone was very surprised with how brilliantly I managed each QSO, followed the code and broadcasting rules. I told them that I had my experience, for which they praised me and were happy that a quality operator would join their ranks. In two days I managed something between 300-400 QSOs under the club tag and gave the club 7 new rares DXCC. They had decent equipment and the conditions were also favorable to me. I got a little sweaty during some pile-ups, but the results spoke for themselves.
Exams: M3SDO
Exam time has arrived. One written, one from broadcasting on 2 meters, one on HF, morse code. I don't want to brag, but I passed with flying colours, even though it wasn't even in my mother tongue. I didn't have a problem with the terminology, but I wasn't happy that I didn't have to show how to make a QSO correctly. They told me that I had already shown them what I know and that I should give the opportunity to less experienced people. Within two weeks I was finally the owner of my own self-chosen call sign – M3SDO!
DXing
So far I've had a good 'few' connections, mostly in SSB and digi modes as it is PSK31 a RTTY. I am an RSGB (UK) boat, I have participated in several contests here. My Icom IC-746 and Carolina Windom 80s antenna serve me well. Many of you could already see for yourself what kind of operator I am. I've already had nice QSOs with many. There is never anything better than talking to someone in their native language. Thank you and I look forward to further connections. This year, I would like to go for such a minor "upgrade" and rank among the "A". Unfortunately, I'm more or less busy at the moment. But I hope that I will succeed, and if not this year, then certainly the next one. HAM radio has become a great hobby of mine and personally I am sure it will last me a long, very long time. I love dx-ing, HF is my life. I don't even show up on 2m. It's nice to talk to someone local, but the feeling when you make a connection with a new DXCC is priceless. Or am I wrong?
I am attaching a small survey to this confession of mine. I know that some of you may not like me, mainly because of what I have already done - I mean broadcasting on 11m specifically. However, that is already history, and it will not repeat itself! I have my goals, the biggest one is to be an excellent radio amateur, an example for others, an enthusiast, a person who helps others... That's why this portal is here. It took some time to put it together, with significant help from William. I hope you like it and it will become a gateway to the HAM Internet. I also hope that I will have the opportunity to make a beautiful connection with each of you and exchange a QSL ticket. Please leave your comments on this post as well as your vote in the attached poll. Thank you.
73 de Oliver M3SDO
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