My Radio interests started when I was a 13 year old. My Father, an Electronics Technician, gave me some of his old magazines (Popular Electronics) dating back to 1952. It was there that I read about Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio. I got hold of my Dad's then already old transistorized, battery powered AM/FM/SW Radio and connected a good length of wire to where the Telescoping Antenna should be. I was amazed by what I heard; Radio Nederlands, Radio Moscow, VOA, Radio Peking....I was hooked. From then on I started DX�ng the Shortwave Bands. That was 1976.
I was fortunate enough that my High School had a Ham Club (Don Bosco Amateur Radio Club, DU-1-DBT). I immediately signed up to join and by the time I was 16, I passed and had my Amateur Class C (Tech Plus) Operator' License.
In 1986, I finished College and earned a BS Degree in Electronics and Communications, thanks to Ham Radio. Due to the high cost of living (commercial equipment in the Philippines is so expensive), I placed my interests on hold.
In 1998, I was sent to attend a training seminar in Yokohama for my employer and was able to pass by their Akihabara District where they sell lots of Electronics Stuff. When I saw the new models of Communications Receivers, the Radio Bug in me woke up and I bought a Yeasu FRG-100B with almost half of my allowance.
With the FRG-100 and a long wire strung across the trees at our lot, I was again listening to the world.
In 1999, I was able to sample the world of the Internet and was able to surf to a lot of Amateur Radio Websites. I then learned about the Amateur Radio Satellites and started listening to the Beacons of RS-12/13 on 29 Mhz. Listening to the downlink of RS-12/13 stirred my interest and the next thing I knew I was taking the test and got a new Amateur Class C Operator' License. Now, I've just finished my Homebrew 21 Mhz CW 5 Watter which I'l l just have to register and get my Call Sign to go on air.
Unfortunately, the RS-12/13 Satellite was damaged by a Solar Flare in 2002 and died before I could try them. But there are lots of other Ham Sats up there and I plan to try one of them soon.
I have lots of plans to do in my new Homebrew Station which I will post in this web site. In the meantime, please visit the sites where I got the ideas to build my own station.
Homebrewing in the Philippines is quite frustrating specially when you'e copying from circuits built by other Hams. I've learned to use parts scrouged from old CB's, old UHF Transceivers, TV' and locally available parts to build my 5 watter. I'll post some of the tricks I've learned on this site for the Filipino Homebrewer soon.
