I wouldn't say there is anyone to blame, but my interest in radio probably began when my mum bought me a pair of Tandy/Fisher-Price walkie-talkies, and my uncle later gave me an old shortwave radio receiver.

Like so many other radio hams and amateurs, I started out on CB (Citizen Band) radio. I would often chat with Ivor down in Newlyn, as well as the occasional farmer somewhere in West Cornwall. At the time, I was living in Gwavas Street, Penzance, and mounted on the apex of the roof was an 18-foot Silver Rod base antenna.

I started with a Midland UK40 FM CB radio before eventually upgrading to a President Jackson, and later a President Lincoln. Originally, I used a Swedish dipole antenna—although I wish I could remember exactly which design it was, because it simply worked. Even on the UK40 FM channels, I was able to make contacts as far north as Scotland.

• Sharman SWR-006
• QJE 30w PSU