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I have been a licensed radio amateur (Radio Ham) operator since 07-Aug-1987.  I home studied and passed my City and Guilds Amateur Radio examination back in 1987 with distinctions, I was very pleased with that result. Not meaning to be big headed but having passed my "Radio, TV and Electronics" examination also with distinctions I would have been disappointed not to get a similar result. I had already committed and purchased my mobile 2mtr multi-mode rig a Yaesu FT 290 Mk2 in advance so I was on the air the same day. Made my first contact with Ray G6FDI that lunch time. 

My activity in the radio arena had fallen off with work and family commitments for quite some time  As you see I have picked it up again now that I have retired early in Jan 2020.

Current shack and equipment.

I still have my FT-290 Mk2 for 2Mtrs FM and SSB and the kit Wood & Douglas 50W amp and the RX preamp.  I have recently acquired a FT-920 and will be using this with a EFHW Long Wire (shortened for 80Mtrs).  The boom microphone is a Neewer NW-700 model. For FT8 my PC has a external USB sound card connecting to the audio (line) out and phono in connections with the PTT controlled by CAT.