VK4HO - Ham Radio and Photography

Hi!

The name's Tony - welcome to my website. I am a complete noob at this website stuff so this site will be a "constant" work-in-progress.

Thanks for stopping by...hope you enjoy your stay...best 73 (that's ham radio speak for best regards), Tony.


My Ham Radio History:

Was a CB'er (of the, ummm, "pirate" variety) back in the late 70's/early 80's. I thought about sitting for my Novice exam at that time but couldn't get my head around Morse code and didn't have the motivation to proceed further. Interest waned in the CB bands. Fast forward to 2003 and the Australian Communications Authority dropped the requirement for Morse code for operator access to the HF bands - woohoo, count me in!!!

I had heard about this through one of my friends, Wayne VK4NET (then VK4JDL, now VK4WC). He also mentioned an organisation, called the Radio and Electronics School, that provided specific training to achieve the different levels of Amateur Operator licensing available (if you are even remotely interested in becoming an Amateur Operator, do yourself a favour and contact these guys!). I contacted this organisation, enrolled in their Advanced on-line course, and was successful in sitting for, and obtaining, my Amateur Operators Limited Certificate of Proficiency. In February 2004 I applied for, and was granted, the callsign VK4TRX.

In September 2008 there was a ballot conducted to allocate the remaining available 2 letter callsigns, (these are coveted because in situations where conditons are poor there is less chance of mistaking the callsign), and was allocated my current callsign of VK4HO.

I am a member of the Wireless Institute of Australia, the National body representing Amateur Radio interests in Australia, and the South Coast Amateur Radio Group, a social group based at the Gold Coast, in sunny Queensland.


QSL Details:

I QSL 100% on DX contacts. I prefer to QSL via the Bureau. If you wish to get my card quicker then send me your card direct to:

Tony Spies,
P.O. Box 527,
Beaudesert,
Australia. 4285

I do have an eQSL presence and will confirm via this method periodically but, as I mentioned previously, I do prefer to send/receive the paper QSL's.

My details can also be found if you do a search for my callsign on www.qrz.com.