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Roger Cooke G3LDI Licensed in 1956, at a tender age (!) I was assisting in NFD and other Club events as an SWL and was an avid DX chaser. I was part of a team of 4 on a DX-pedition in 1958 to the Isle of Man where we used GB3GD, nearly all on CW. I started teaching CW after I was licensed and have been doing so ever since. I then became interested in RTTY and was among the first few on that mode on HF using mechanical gear, a Creed 7B was the first of several. I am now Chairman of BARTG and all RTTY is on the PC.
I was also among the first on Packet Radio in the UK and ran a BBS GB7LDI for years both on HF and VHF. I also ran the UK Satellite Gateway using 9.6kBaud packet. My BBS, Node and Cluster are all now closed.
I use a Flex 6600 as the main HF radio.Antennas include a Rhombic, 4 wavelengths per leg on 20 meters, pointed NW and up at about 80ft, a 4-el SteppIr at 110ft and numerous dipoles.
I am now retired from TV/Video engineering, and enjoy my hobbies, which also include gardening. I enjoy writing for various radio magazines and also promote the RSGB GB2CW Morse broadcasts as Co-ordinator running Morse classes from home as well, supported by a team of locals tutoring on two metres. Member of Amsat-UK and Life Member of Amsat-NA.
I am also a musician, classically trained on piano from the age of 5, and ran my own band for 40 years. I still play, but now use a Kawai MP5 professional stage piano and a “real” Bluthner piano. I no longer gig but just play for pleasure.
