MD3YLX - Dave Cain  

I sat the UK Amateur Radio Foundation Licence in January 2009, after nearly thirty years involvement and use of radio communications of one sort or another. My radio life started with 'pirate' CB radio in 1979, and the rest as they say, is history!

I am a member of the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). I am also a member of Isle of Man RAYNET (Radio Amateur Emergency Network) Group which is affiliated to the RSGB. I have recently joined the Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society (RAFARS) - membership number 4705, and I will be assisting other RAFARS members acivating the three local airfields - RAF / RNAS Ronaldsway, RAF Jurby and RAF Andreas... watch this space!

My radio 'bug' covers many things - homebrew antenna design and construction, digital modes, and contesting. Although my output power is limited, I have currently worked and confirmed in excess of 30 countries.

I have recently started to experiment with 70MHz (4m band) and hope to make many contacts around the UK with QRP power on FM using a Philips FM1200 ex PMR radio, and some SSB sing a PW Meon transverter.

Above left: MD3YLX (me!) operationg 40m SSB for GB4MNH Special Event Station at the Old Grammar School, Castletown May 2009

Above middle: Eary Cushlin Outdoor Pursuit Centre - the home of the IoMARS for one weekend a year for some rare DX!

Above right:My mate Mike - GD0HYM (also GD0MAN and RAFARS IoM Area Representative) demonstrating how to empty a bottle of Carlsberg Green whilst we were building antennas at Eary Cushlin!

I operate from radio mainly my home QTH in Douglas, or mobile from various locations around the island.

I own many radio transceivers which include:

• Icom IC-706 Mk2 G with Heil Quiet Pro
• Yaesu; FT-2000, FT-897D and FT-817 portable and an ageing FT-77;  mobile with FT-8900 (quad band), FT-7800 (dual band), FT-2800 (2m), and a Wouxun KG-UVD1 hand held 2m/70cm, and PMR frequencies.
• Philips & Simoco FM1000, FM1100 and FM1200 car, transportable and base units. I recently acquired a PW Mean Transverter which allows me to use the FT-2000, FT-897D or the FT-817 on 4m SSB/FM/AM, depending on my location!
• Belcom LS102L (which is badged as a Beltok 102) which is used as 10m base radio but can also drive the transverter for 4m if desired.

My antenna arrangement varies depending on the bands that I am working, but generally at home I use a G5RV for 80m, 40m and 20, Antron A99 vertical for 15m - 10m. For VHF and UHF a Comet GP15 covers the three popular bands (6m, 2m and 70cm). For 'Portable' an 80m Windom and double size G5RV, while a 4m and 6m Halo are used with the FT-2000/897D & 817. HB9CV beam has been acquired for use on 4m SSB, and a  'Green Stick' vertical for FM work on 4m.

I have several mobile antennae all used with a variety of mounts, including two 10m telescopic masts and two 6m high masts used for dipoles or the G5 etc. Most of my antennas can be used either at home or for portable operation as the need arises.

Thanks for looking in, I hope to catch you on the amateur radio bands soon!

73 de Dave MD3YLX

gura mie eu as shiaght tree, slane ayd!

You can find more information on me and my location on www.qrz.com or please visit.........

ALL QSL cards received by me will be returned 100% - if you post direct to me please do not include stamps as UK stamps cannot be used on the Isle of Man.

$2 is sufficient postage for cards to most of Europe and beyond, but not essential. If not requested, all cards will be sent via the bureau, so please be patient.

If you would like a sked for a QSO on 40m or 20m please email me =o)

Upcoming IoM Radio Events 2010

January

• Sunday 31st: 6AM - 6PM: RNLI SOS - Special event station transmitting from the Sea Terminal in Douglas to assist the RNLI fundraising. Further information from www.rnli.org.uk/sosday

February

• Club Night Tuesday 9th February - "The Snaefell Wheel Project" talk by Peter Geddes 7.30pm for 8pm start.

March

• Club Night Tuesday 9th March - BRING AND BUY SALE - Amateur radio gear and bits'n'bobs from lofts, sheds, shacks and boxes. Sell what you bring for a 5% donation to the Society funds.

April

• 10th-11th April - Northern Amateur Radio Rally at Norbreck Catle, Blackpool - GT3FLH goes mobile! Trip to Blackpool for the annual Northern Area Radio Amateur Societies (NARSA) radio rally. Those going: MD3YLX, GD1MIP, MD6IOM, GD7DUZ, GD0HYM, GD0NFN and MD0DXW - flying the flag for the IOMARS and local branch of RAFARS.

• Club Night Tuesday 13th April - TBA

May

• Club Night Tuesday 11th May - A talk from Simon Brown about his updates to SDR software and Ham Radio Deluxe Programme.

June

• 6th June: GB2MAD - Mad Sunday Special event station from the Vintage Engine and Tractor Fair, Port St Mary showground. Also active on 4m for the PW 4m Contest!

• No Club Meeting this month due to the road closures for TT Race Week.

• 26th & 27th June: GB4MNH - Manx National Heritage Special Event Station from the Old Grammar School, Castletown. Active on 20m, 40m, 80m, and maybe 4m.

July

• 5th July: GB5TD Tynwald Day Special Event Station from The Manx School, St Johns to mark the occassion of Manx Week, and in particular TYNWALD DAY - the open air sitting of the oldest continuous Parliament in the world. Please visit www.isleofman.com for more info! We hope to work on 80/40/20m and possibly a digital PSK station too.

• Club Night Tuesday 13th July - no talk planned as yet, and will be an informal gathering to report on the Special Event Stations that have been run, and to update members on club activities in general.

August

• TBA

September

• 11th & 12th - EARY CUSHLIN RADIO WEEKEND - Build it / operate it yourself weekend at the Eary Cushlin Outdoor Pursuit Centre. Basically a get away from it all weekend in the wild - some work radios and others go for a walk, chat and generally talk/play radio for the weekend.

October

• 1st-2nd October: National Hamfest IOMARS members go 'abroad' for the second time this year! We have a full compliment of six local amateurs: MD3YLX Dave, GD1MIP Andy, GD0NFN John, GD0OUD Stuart, MD0DXW Morgan and GD7DUZ Stephen (Chairman of IOMARS). Watch out for the bio-diesel powered green machine (VW Bus!) with Manx Registration number and large antenna.... (you have been warned!!)

November

• TBA

December

• IoMARS Annual General Meeting at Sea Cadet Hall, Tromode. Further details TBA.

• 1. logo of the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society complete with it's two club call signs.
• 2. RAF Amateur Radio Society logo with my membership number - 4705.
• 3. IOTA logo - IoM is EU-116 (Europe)
• 4. The club Mosely Beam, on our mobile tower. Proudly flying the Isle of Man Flag, and the IOMARS Colour just below.

• 1. Yours truly in the co-pilots seat - Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil. 
• 2. Yes me again - co-driving the '0' car with my mate in his Golf GTi during a local rally
•  3. Operating GB4MNH at the Old Grammar School in Castltown during 2009.
• 4. Sat typing/listening and operating... MD3YLX at home QTH, Douglas, Isle of Man.