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President
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Seaview House, Crete Road East, |
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FOLKESTONE, |
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Kent |
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U.K. |
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CT18 7EG |
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Currently the President of QRP ARCI and the first non American to hold the post. A true honour indeed he said.
Born in Plymouth England at an early age his parents moved to Dover in Kent in 1949 when his father was promoted in the British Customs. Schools followed and when he left in 1960 he went to King Edward VII college in London for a year. He then joined the Merchant Navy aged 17 as an apprentice where he first used Morse Code for real time chatting to other ships as they passed in the night. This was done using an Aldis Lamp, flashing lights to communicate in CW. He later (1964) joined the Kent Fire Brigade (Fire Department) where he served for 23 years. Whilst working as a firefighter he also worked part time as a clearance diver in Dover Harbour. Every time a ferry got a wire around the prop one of the divers would have to clear it. Lots of other underwater work kept them all busy. Dick gained his 'Government ticket' during this time permitting him to work to a maximum depth of 60 feet.
During the final years of his service he gained his Ham licence and became G1DGO. He finished his Fire service as a 'Watch Commander'. His early retirement came because of injury. The same time that he retired saw the full callsign being gained and G0BPS was issued to him.
Just one year later he started a communications company called Kanga Products with Ian Keyser G3ROO (Hall of Fame Member) and just three years later bought Ian out and continued until 1999 selling ham radio kits all over the world. During this time he visited the USA almost every year and attended the Dayton Hamvention as well as FDIM. During this time in 1997 he was elected to the QRP ARCI Hall of Fame.
Whilst at Pacificon in 1999 he was approached by Jim Stafford W4QO and asked if he would consider joining the Board of Directors of ARCI and just a few months later was on the board. Jim's cunning plan was soon revealed as Dick was rapidly elected to the post of Vice President and took over the Presidency in January 2004.
Dicks main interest is not, and never has been CW. An ardent VHF DX'er and keen PSK31 operator he prefers other modes though still falls back on CW when no other mode works. His station consists of an Kenwood TS950SD with every option, a K2 (of course) and the obligatory Handie. The 2m station has now gone to that great auction house on the net and G0BPS is solely HF.
A past chairman of the District Council he was second in line to greet President Mitterrand of France and HM The Queen at the opening of the UK - France Channel Tunnel. Also in May 2005 he was elected to serve on Kent County Council which is just one level down from the British Parliament and NO, he does not intend taking on that job as well.
Other hobbies enjoyed over the years have included white water canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, golf, badminton, squash, swimming and volleyball. As the back and knees slowly give way he now still swims, still enjoys SCUBA diving with his eldest son and plays a lot of Lawn Bowls. Oh yes, he also plays radio. |
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