My childhood interest in electronics (crystal set, 6V6& 807 audio amps, SFT108 transistor regen Rx, 8pin valve superhet Rx, etc ) lead me to a AOCP (Amateur Operator Certificate of Proficiency) class at Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club in Queensland Australia VK4.

AOCP classes at the newly founded Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club 1964, saw me licensed as VK4ZMG at the age of 17-year-old. My CW proficiency wasn’t quite good enough and the nerves of a first test were the end of the ACOP dream until 1975 when I became VK4AMG.

After moving to Brisbane for my Department of Civil Aviation Radio technician training, I operated 6m AM with converted surplus taxi radio and a 3/4 wavelength vertical on my boarding house.

I built and maintained a 6m 6 over 6 at 30 feet in Bundaberg where I operated during leave periods. Many trans-equatorial contacts were achieved with 60W AM. This station achieved a first in Queensland Division of the Ross Hull Contest 1967.

I served in Brisbane Radio Maintenance as a Senior Technician and at the Regional Technical Training School as an Instructor while I completed my part-time engineering degree at Queensland Institute of Technology.

On graduation, I served 13 years as a senior engineer, ground facilities (Control Towers, Radar, & Navigation Aids) with the Australian Civil Aviation department.

I then co-founded a business, ELPRO Technologies, providing radio telemetry and control systems for water supply and flood warning in the eastern states of Australia. The business also developed an Australian version of the “ALERT” remote rain and river gauging system to Australian Bureau of Meteorology requirements. These units have been widely installed for real time flood warning throughout Australia. While I’d like a dollar for every dot on the rainfall map, I did get a letter of appreciation from the Bureau of Meteorology in 1992.

ELPRO Technologies, “my ugly child”, now part of an International group, supplies class licence radio products (remote IO, data modems, etc) worldwide.

After formalizing my business experiences with a Masters Degree in Technology Management, I worked with many businesses and the local universities to develop and produce embedded microprocessor radio-based products. Most rewarding of these roles was at the Queensland University of Technology, Space Centre for Satellite Navigation apply GPS technology to ground applications including Civil Aviation in Australia.

During the next fifteen years, I lead hardware and software development teams for industrial control and for rail transport control and safety critical systems.

I retired in 2009 with priorities that include grandkids (nearly adults), travel, and my hobbies of amateur radio, model aircraft, photography, and gardening.

I served over 20 years in the Army Reserve (Signals Corps), transferring to the Reserve of Officers in 1988 with the rank of Captain.

During the 60s & 70s, I was active in local club activities. The Brisbane VHF Group honoured me with Life Membership for my contribution.

I have been a member of the WIA for over 40 years and an active member, until recently, of WICEN, over 40 years. I am also a ARRL member.