An Electronics Nerd

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I've been interested in electronics for most of my life. It all started back in 1950 when I was ten years old. My father, always supportive of my curiosity, helped me build a crystal set. I can still remember the thrill of hearing that first faint crackle of a radio station. It felt like magic!

Soon after, I got my hands on some radio valves and built a shortwave radio. It required an external antenna, so we found an old flagpole and set it up in the backyard. At first, the neighbours were a bit worried, but when they realised I could tune into stations from around the world, they became just as fascinated as I was.

A turning point came when I discovered an amateur radio enthusiast living nearby. He and his wife kindly welcomed me into their home, where they had a proper “shack” full of equipment. I was in awe! They let me observe and learn, and soon enough, I was hooked on amateur radio.

A few years later, I had my own amateur radio station, complete with a beam antenna, which I operated on the 2-metre band. It was an incredible experience. Around this time, my father enrolled me at the Melbourne Technical College for a two-year, full-time course in electronics. This was in 1954, just as television was being introduced to Australia. By the time I was 16, I had qualified as an electronics technician – just as the world of television was starting to take off.

Looking back, those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. Electronics has been a constant thread throughout my life, and it all started with a crystal set and a bit of curiosity.