I First Became Interested in Radio in 1942 Listing on the Short and Medium Wave Bands With

Adams’ Story.

I first became interested in radio in 1942 listing on the short and medium wave bands with an old Ferguson radio (Clix valves). In 1943 I had started a 5 year marine engineering apprenticeship and saving up all my pennies managed to purchase some of the ex-military which equipment now available in Aberdeen [1946]. A wooden cased Marconi, A spy set with plug in coils and an Ri 155. These gave great enjoyment and fun.

On completion of my apprenticeship in 1948 I commenced a sea-going career with a company sailing mainly in the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and South East Asia areas. The only entertainment being a pack of cards on most of the vessels, so the trend was to listen to your radio which kept you in touch with the outside world and entertainment. Picking up the BBC world service was challenge and people would vie with one another for the best reception. Sometimes we would have purges when the Radio Officer complained to the Chief Officer about the antennas hanging from the funnel and after mast affecting his transmissions, All would be dismantled by our Lascar crew. Slowly these antennas would be restored and listening again was commenced.

Various makes of receivers were used the first was a Reece Mace excellent at picking up the galley fridge motor, as it cut in and out reception was intermittent. Over the years Cossor, Phillips, Bush, Pye Telefunken, Grundig, Nordmende, National, Hallicrafters, Eddystone and many other receivers were used. The first Eddystone being powered by 6volt lead acid battery. This was charged via 4 carbon filament lamps. My cabin temp. often exceeded 115 F.

I always had a short wave radio and when I retired decided to join the local club. There I met Stanley Sutherland GM4BKV and joined his Novice Class After some highly instructive tuition from him I sat and passed and obtained an novice license. Again striving for more watts I and some more club members joined Stanley’s RAE Course where we received excellent tuition and also great encouragement from others This was very successful, all having passed I now have the call sign MM1KZV. Now learning Morse, again with Stanley, and hoping to get on the HF bands soon.

In the shack here I have a Yaesu FT1000, Icom 7S6 Pro, Icom FM 2350 dualband, Trio 9l3O all mode, Racal RA1792 receiver. MFJ Atu989c, 934, 941. Antennas. A half size G5RV, Loft mounted 80 meters. Loop, Loft 20meter. Delta. Tn-band Vertical for 7Ocms, 2 and 6 meters. 2 element ZL beam on rotator for 6 meters.

I enjoy Amateur Radio it’s a great hobby and would recommend to others who may be interested to come along and join our club The Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society.

Adam Davidson MMIKZV

The above was written by Adam Davidson, MM0KZV (SK) during March 2001.