Who am I? What am I up to? Why am I here?

I was born one lovely morning, arriving at about 4:45 on the 29th March 1977. In my first years I tried to grow up quickly, so I can enjoy the rest of my life lookin from the top.

Anyway, let's go back to the reality. I would say I have always been interested in radio. I still remember my first crystal radio which my father built for me. It was so exciting!

Unfortunately, because of the type of the goverment my country had in Slovakia at the time, I was not able to find out anything about "the real stuff" until much later. However, I remember when I was maybe 8 or 9, I have to try to build my first transceiver! How come? Well... My father was into electronics, he had a lot of stuff at home so I was always close to all the necessary bits. My father taught me how to solder, I always liked to watch him while he repaired small radios, PSU's, TV's, basically anything with electronics inside. The radio stuff was always very exciting for me, unfortunately, there wasn't anybody to teach me more. Once I took my father's book and found two schematics, one for receiver and one for transmitter. I did not know anything about how it actually works, had only a faint idea, but this prompted me to do my first build. I had developed 4 boards, 2 for receiver and 2 for transmitter, so eventually I will have 2 small transceivers, simillar to kind of walkie-talkie.

When I finished developing my boards, I gathered all necessary bits, transistors, diodes, etc .. and started soldering. It took me a few days and I could not wait to finish. All went well (I though it did, I was just 8 year old!) and I connected 4 batteries and started testing. For this, I have called my brother to help me. We started to shout into the microphone and waited to hear voices coming from the receiver/speaker and nothing. My little project which took me few weeks was deamed to fail! It was almost 10 years ago when I realised that I have to build 2 completely different receivers/transmitters, working on different frequencies!  O well ...

Fortunately for me, the idea to speak to somebody else did not leave my mind and only few months after I have finished my college I started to find more details about CB radio. First CB's started to be sold in the country. Once, when I visited a shop in another city I found out that they sell CB's as well as antennas! That was all what I needed to know. I bought my first 1/2 wave CB antenna, which I took by train back home. Then I started to shop for my first radio. After few weeks it arrived, it was Danita 640! OK, I had radio, antenna, bought some coax and PL connectors which I put together after some elaboration.

I still remember my first time - building 1/2 wave antenna in the living room and sticking it 1/3 way out from the balcony! My family lived in the 8 story apartment building. Then I heard voices! I listen for few days, but I could not wait to talk to them, so one day I said my first word - BREAK.

To cut this storry short. It took almost another 6 years for me to get my first HAM license and another 7 years to get my full license.

Anyway, I had to wait until I arrived in the UK for my first HAM licence. I was always busy back in Slovakia and the local ham population wasn't really helpful and did not actively look for newcomers. I believe it was in 2001 when the new foundation licence was introduced in the UK. I took this new opportunity and found the earliest course I could attend. It was in Sheffield. I traveled up by coach from London and stayed with someone I knew only by email. I have forgotten his call, but he was very nice with me and allowed me to stay at his place over the weekend so I can gain my first HAM licence. Everything went well, I did not have a single issue passing this first exam and after couple of weeks my first licence arrived.

From that point in time everything had changed, I was able finally to be on the air. Through the new connections I made, I have met all the guys, except Viliam OM0AAO which I knew before.

I spent plenty of time with the guys, doing lighthouse activations, contesting, enjoying the hobby. I felt I am good part of the team, even if I was just poor MW3. I have always tried my best. Unfortunately, sometimes I could not contribute as much time as my fellow friends, arrived when the antennas were already up and left before they had been taken down. Work commitments could not allow me to do more. Fortunately this has changed and now I am trying to be more "productive" and to be active member of the team.

Last year - in the summer 2008 I discovered that I am the last "M3" in the team after Tim M0URX had done his exams and gained full privilegies. This basically forced me to "do something". I had already purchased Intermediate and Advanced books years ago, as I had planned to move to the top level ages ago. Again, I could not find anybody locally to help me, believe it or not. After our latest Strumble Head activation in August 2008 I was basically forced to move on and not to stay behind.

I had only few weeks before the HF convention was planned, so had to quickly arrange to sit two exams - Intermediate and Advanced as well as practical exam. Basically, my study was spread to 1 week to study for the practical exam, then 1 week for the intermediate, 1 week for the advanced and 1 week for revision. Trying to learn everything witout anyone's help! I stroke lucky again - had a great supporters like Viliam OM0AAO, Chris G1VDP, Tim M0URX and Anthony MW0JZE. Then the weekend arrived! - HFC. I knew the results from the itermediate exam just a few hours after, but had to wait for the advanced results a few more weeks.

The advanced papers arrived the same day as my friend Viliam OM0AAO arrived at Manchester airport. I could not open the envelope, he had to do it. The results = PASS! I was so relieved, you would not believe it. My great friends helped me to pick my call just that evening - virtually hours before the CQWW 2008 SSB.

And here I am, writing this just days before WPX 2009. Have I achieved anyting since I got my full call? Let's see:

1. Attended CQWW 2009 SSB as SOSB high power assisted on 80m and pulled the highest score in the whole UK (I hope, no results yet)

2. Attended CQWW 160m in February, again pulled second highest score in the category, 4th in the EU and 14th in the World (I hope, no results yet)

3. I have made almost 2000 contacts in SSB to 145 countries in 4 months of using my new call

4. Gained Full HAM licence in Slovakia - OM0ARX based on my UK results

Of course, this is not the end. My life as a HAM just began. Watch out, you will certainly hear about me!

And here I am, MW0JRX, radio amateur by heart and contestman by soul.