Ken's Amateur Radio and Satellite imaging Home page
Worked as Engineer with GMH, SEC., Gas & Fuel Corp., Cresco Fertilizers and Melbourne University.
Introduced to Radio by Father in mid 30’s (Father Radio Officer in No.1 Squadron Flying Corps, WW1.)
Started with visit to Eastern Market where several basket-weave plugin coils, a variable condenser, terminals, panel a “cat’s whisker” crystal detector and headphones were purchased.
Graduated to 1-valve (A415) regenerative receivers. Over the years built manyreceivers, Hi-Fi amplifiers and speaker systems.
Married in 1955. Built home at Aspendale and have three children. Engaged in various school committees. Sports included tennis, squash, spearfishing, scuba-diving and surfing.
Shifted to Brighton in 1970, 6 Menzies Avenue. Refurbished home. Installed long-wire trapped dipole and large discone as listening antennae. Receivers were FRG-7 and AR 2002.
Continued work on school committees, became President then Group Leader of 14th Brighton Sea Scouts. Competitive sailing at Sandringham Yacht club. Purchased Ultimate 18 trailer-sailer, added 27 Meg. Marine Radio and Operating Certificate.
In late 70’s picked up and taped unknown signals. Determined to identify them. In later years found them to be noaa weather satellite signals.
In early 80’s constructed RTTY Decoder and coupled it to Vic 20 computer with taped software and small B & W TV. Tuning helped by a CRO. Enormous satisfaction when signals finally resolved on TV.
Purchased a C 64 computer with plug-in program to resolve RTTY and CW. Progressed to an MFJ 1278 and now an SCS PTC-11e multi-mode controller.
These were heady days of RTTY. The Cold War, Woodpecker and the famous RTTY Stations. Older operators would remember such names as :-
RBX72 (Tashkent, Usbek) KCNA (Pyongyang, Nth Korea)
BAP46 (Beijing, PCR) CLN53 (Havana, Cuba) LZN3 (Sofia,Bulgaria)
BCN37 (Taipei, Taiwan) ZEO32 (Cape D’aguilar, Hong Kong)
RNK33 (Moscow, USSR) etc.
Many hours were spent searching for that tasty Embassy “morsel”, that electrifying Naval signal, and evading the cursed “Woodpecker”. Even reading the endless pages of propaganda transmitted by KCNA; then the whole lot repeated in case of error!
On 16 Dec. 1993, wrote letter to Mr. K. Turner, then Secretary of the M&D.RC seeking Membership of the Club. Member on 28th. December 1993.
In 1994, purchased an Icom IC-736, hoping for improved reception and in anticipation of obtaining an Amateur Licence and thus able to transmit.
Novice Licence 22nd. July 1994 VK3XKM
Limited Licence 4th. April 1996 VK3JMN (5 WPM)
AOCP 22nd July 1999 VK3CEK (10 WPM)
Finally identified Weather Satellite Signals, and with Proscan Receiver, and program provided by Arthur Andrews VK2 AAE. Now download weather pics. each day and apply various enhancements. Enormous satisfaction when sig’s heard on receiver when satellite prediction program says they are coming!!! This is almost unbelievable, so accurate is it.
Present at most meetings and activities of Club. Endeavour to arrange interesting Speakers.
Drove over Canning Stock Route in Sept. 2002, maintaining contact with Club Members and Traveller’s Net.
Ambitions,
3. To help interested persons achieve advancement in Amateur Exams, and partake of amateur activities and enjoyment.
2. To install steerable dish on “hinged” pole and download high-resolution images from weather satellites.
1. To help Grandchildren, Family & Friends enjoy life !