David (VK3JDA)

Amateur (Ham) radio.

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First licence 1988 VK3MBB (Novice) upgraded 1988 (Limited) combined licence VK3JDA now known as Advanced Licence.

After upgrading got into ATV and packet radio, Built the VK3AWL/VK3ZJY 70cm colour transmitter for video and sound about 1-1/2 years later put together a stand alone sound transmitter.

This gave me the ability to transmit just sound or video.

I used to run ATV from the car or portable doing such actives as MDRC hamfests, JOTA for the local Scout Group and EMDRC Balloon launchs.

I was also the down link for all but the first Gladesville Amateur Radio Club (VK2TVG) ATV tests via AUSSAT 2 satellite in the 90's linking the satellite downlink to VK3RTV.

VK3RTV repeater was changed from 446.250MHz AM  input to 1250MHz FM input so I started to build the South East QLD. single board ATV kit (Never did finish it) while searching for parts I found the VK5EME kits which was modular and I could do more with this. I am still using the VK5EME kits today.

In 2001 Tony (VK3JED) and my self talked about IRLP on air one day and within about 10 minutes on air we had donations of a PC, Radio and money for the controller board.

I am still running the IRLP node to this day on the June 11th 2011 the first VK3 IRLP node 6300 turned 10 years old. Its now on its second PC and radio, PC was only upgraded for the new Linux OS & the radio for a newer model. The origianal PC (Still works) will most likely end up in the M&DRC museum.

HF bands took a back seat (for about 15 year) to the VHF & UHF bands until the WIA centenary when I rebuilt the HF station first 80m only with a wire dipole then add wire dipoles for 40 and 20m.

I now also have one of Tony's VK3TZ Rotary Trapped Dipole Antennas for 10/15/20&40m.

Other modes that I have an interest in are PK31 and Easypal digital SSTV.