The subject of this ‘Question & Answer’ interview reminds me of a classic glass of red; a harmonious palate with a sophisticated taste, some subtle spice and a hint of fresh perspective about the world. Whether it’s in his work with disadvantaged kids or as a radio communications hobbyist with a strong sense of adventure, you can bet your rig on his professionalism and integrity leaving a great taste in your mouth. Meet 9FAT016 Adrian; DXpedition fanatic, intelligent reflector, friend…

INTERVIEW

Q: If I wanted to work your station Adrian, where should I have the yagi pointed?
A: The Caribou Region, British Columbia, Canada…North-East from Brisbane!

Q: Sounds like an interesting play to grow up…
A: I actually grew up in Manchester, England.

Q: Creiky, if I had’ve known you were a bloody pommy, I would have chosen someone else for this interview… But since I’ve got you…what lured you across the Atlantic?
A: The vastness, the wilderness, the wildlife, the incredible scenery… I was disillusioned with life in 26 Division for many reasons. There are too many problems there that can’t be solved, mostly stemming from overpopulation. I felt that in the long term, 9 Division would offer a better quality of life.

Q: So how did radio get into the blood?
A: I knew a friend who was into CB so I asked for a scanner as a birthday present in 1979. After earwigging for a while I knew I wanted to get involved. As a kid, I used to monitor aircraft transmissions into Manchester Airport.

Q: So basically you’re one step up from an eavesdropper in the communications food chain?
A: Haha. Not really mate. I had the aircraft-spotting bug at that time, but I’m glad to report that I got over it!

Q: What was the first rig to hit your bench and who bought it for you?
A: A Cobra 146GTL purchased by a relative.

Q: I know the rig. A nice little silver unit, 6 knobs, CB/PA and SSB… Where is it now? Paper weight? Flower pot?
A: No idea. I must have sold it sometime around 1981 so probably gathering dust in someone’s cupboard.

Q: While most CB Manufacturers got out of the market after the CB boom, Cobra stuck solid. Which radio have you always wanted but could never get your hands on for one reason or another?
A: I’ve little interest in technical aspects of the hobby Darren so I don’t have aspirations toward any radio in particular. I’ve regretted letting some go such as a Ham International Jumbo and a President Madison that I was pretty fond of. I’m actually quite content using just about any rig. So long as it works of course! What really matters I think is a well-tuned antenna, good propagation and an experienced operator!

Q: What callsign are you using at the moment?
A: Normally 9FAT016. But I sometimes I use 9DT016 and 9LD016.

Q: Why Florida Alfa Tango and what other groups have you hooked up with in the past?
A: I chose FAT as I was impressed with their honest enthusiasm and hard work. They seem a friendly, helpful, and unpretentious bunch. I like the motto 'Free & Happy, Serious & Courteous' as it reflects my own thoughts on radio. FAT are always keen to support my activations too and are always quick to respond to any enquiries. I’m just not attracted to groups with huge memberships. “Quality rather than quantity,” I say!

I can remember previous links with Lima Delta International (Lincoln, England); Tweed Radio; Papa Whisky (Lebanon) ; Alfa Victor (Canarias) ; Maik Uniform (España) ; Split Thunders (Croatia) ; Delta Tango (Canarias); Lima Delta (Italia); Delta Tango 98; Thracian Rose Club. (I believe these latter two are among your favourites, Darren)!?

Q: Haha, yeah I’ve got some reservations about Tharacian Rose but that thing with 43DT001 Bryan (Delta Tango Club President) was blown out of proportion. He took my decision to link with Sugar Delta personally which was unfortunate because it had nothing to do with him or the DT group. It’s a shame because in my mind, he was and still is the best CB Club administrator the 11m band has seen. The guy is an icon who has done more for 11m DX in Australia through his work in Tweed Radio and Delta Tango than anyone could ever hope to achieve. Problem is Adrian, thinking with the heart can get you into trouble sometimes and he said a few things and…you know the rest.
A: I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan at a TR bbq in 26 Division. His enthusiasm for CB radio is phenomenal and I agree Darren, his contribution to promoting the hobby has been enormous! I agree that sometimes our hearts and passions can lead us into trouble, but what would life be without passion?

Q: Speaking of passion, you’ve been to more places with a rig than a migrating Arctic Hen……can you remember them all?
A: Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Malcolm Island (NA-091), Northern Vancouver Island (NA-036) , BC Southern Gulf Islands (NA-075), Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii (NA-051), BC North Group (NA-061). I have also tx/rx from 26, 32, 34 (including El Hierro), 67, 80 and 108 Divisions.

Q: Gees, you get around more than my ex-girlfriend… Which one stands out in your mind and why?
A: 67 Division and 32 Division for the friendliness and the hot classy girls.

Q: Now you’ve definitely got my attention! Other than eye candy, what is it about DXpedition travel that gets the blood pumping?
A: Probably experiencing life in other places. I love to learn about lifestyles, culture, politics, geography, the food — to really get to know the people. I like to visit offbeat or slightly mystical places. I also like the challenge of planning the whole thing, and doing the research ahead of time.

Q: Any embarrassing moments in the hobby?
A: Plenty… I used to mix-up the Spanish for King and Queen so I’d sometimes give my handle as 'Queen Prawn' rather than 'King Prawn'! Even worse when you write it on QSLs!

Q: Sydney stages one of the best Mardigras in the world, plenty of Queen Prawns there I’d say…
A: I will politely and respectfully decline this kind invitation, and leave it to you 43 Division guys!
Q: Haha. I’ll pass as well thanks! What’s your favourite DX’ing attire?
A: Jeans and a sweat shirt.

Q: On an island? Get a bit hot in the tropical sun wouldn’t it?
A: Not in October and November when the skip is in here! Pretty chilly actually. It would be pointless visiting the islands in our summer as the band would be dead.

Q: When you’re back on dry land, what’s your favourite snack in the shack?
A: Nothing sophisticated… Maynard's Wine Gums, Walker's Crisps (imported from England), and Cheese & Biscuits! I’m sure 'The Sexy Chef' will not be impressed!

Q: Ever tried one of Miss Deb’s ‘Snack Shack’ recipes?
A: No but I do enjoy reading them! They’re always very interesting and informative. They definitely get the taste buds going! I’m very lucky as my XYL is a qualified cook and baker, so I live well! I appreciate that Deb adds a little sugar n' spice to Oz DX too! Good on her for that!

Q: Frank’s erection once had a run in with some crazy cockatoos… Any animal encounters impact on your hobby?
A: My antenna and tower came crashing down one winter. I think a Moose had brought it down. I was gutted as it was a good DX winter. It was well below freezing and we’d had about 3ft of snow. Temperatures can reach -37c at my QTH, so repairs have to wait.

Q: Other than hobby harming hoofsters, what annoys you most about 11m radio?
A: The element of human garbage that try to block frequencies.

Q: Can you elaborate on that one…?
A: Playing music, keying up over the top of your modulation, frequency hogging — basically all the stuff that gets up the nose of others gets up mine too.

Q: If I took a photo of your shack, what would I see?
A: Arty-farty pictures and posters, a world map, a calendar , a record collection and record player, a computer, ATU, books and travel souvenirs.

Q: Favourite travel destination?
A: Strangely, at the present time, I don’t feel much desire to travel outside of the province. BC is just such an awesome place, and there are so many great destinations to visit here! My passport expired years ago anyway and I have no international identification card, so I can’t leave Canada. I’m fine with that!

Q: Since DXing doesn’t pay much, what helps fund your heavy IOTA/LOAT itinerary?
A: I’m a Behaviour Interventionist working in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Q: Would you believe I’m in the same field? In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge facing ASD kids in education?
A: That is quite a coincidence Darren! There are many challenges for autistic kids in schools , most of which stem from the fast pace of schooling .

Q: Little bit like trying to get a handle on some of the new Yaesu rigs…gotta make things more structured right? Set some limits… Not everyone thinks like an engineer…
A: That’s it. We just help them try and understand the world around them and their place in it.

Q: You said before I’d see a record collection alongside the rig… Which song best describes you as a DX’er?
A: Alive & Kicking, by Simple Minds.

Q: Would you believe it’s the ring tone on my phone at the moment… This interview is starting to go scary… I never knew I had a twin brother…
A: Some say there is no such thing as coincidence!

Q: What’s the best piece of radio advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Check all connections before you talk.

Q: Maybe you need to have a chat to Roy about that one… Other than being a communications fanatic, what are your other interests/ skills etc.?
A: Music — I am big into late 70s and 80s 'new wave’, birding , world geography, Spanish language, nature, politics, culture and philosophy.

Q: Canada keeps churning out great musicians…Bryan Adams, Tragically Hip, Céline Dion, Shania Twain... But my favourite all time Canadian performer is a guy named David Usher. Do you know him?
A: Not personally though I’ve definitely heard of him. Canada really has come alive on the music scene in the last ten years or so. My favourite Canadian artists are Jann Arden, Maren Ord, Nelly Furtado, Paula Toledo and Rush.

Q: Let’s try some word association… What’s the first word that pops into your head when I say the following things…?

Abba? Swedish!
George Bush Jnr? Dangerous!
Britney Spears? Manufactured!
Kangaroos? Aussies!
Cheese burgers? Yummy!
Manchester United? Who?

Q: Back to radios now mate… What do you regard as the best DX contact you have made?
A: I can’t isolate one contact as 'the best'. I’ve enjoyed many contacts for different reasons. When I was in Santa Cruz De La Sierra in Bolivia I contacted my folks back in England on our regular local frequency 27.505 MHz. I was stunned!

From England, I had a few contacts with a friend in 198 Division. During The Gulf War, I talked with a few US Soldiers in 48 Division. Those were all very memorable contacts!

From BC, though, it's a very difficult choice! For distance, it might be 153AT063. For a big surprise, with little prop, it is 140FAT/0. For EU it is 18AT034 on Kefalonia. For MM it is 66/19AT195. There are many AF contacts which stand-out also as they can be very difficult from BC! For lousy conditions, a great contact was 70/30DX401.

A contact I found hard to believe was with 14SD051 when I was on Malcolm Island NA091. There had been no EU in BC for a few years. Chris came through at 5/7 with no other EU heard. What a copy! I was jumping around punching the air after that.

Working mobile is a lot of fun too. From BC I’ve worked all sorts of exotic Pacific DX. I worked 223IR/0 from Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. It all amazes and fascinates me!

Q: If you had the opportunity to conduct an all expenses paid activation anywhere in the world, what and where would it be?
A: If I had an unlimited budget, I’d conduct an extensive DX tour starting with 334 Division (North Korea), then activating various places in the Pacific, ending with 252 Division (Revillagigedo). Then I’d look at the rest of the world and start planning the next leg. A lot of exotic places spring to mind but you have to consider that some would probably have little propagation. An unlimited budget can’t buy good propagation after all!

Q: With whom would you most like to ride with on a Harley Davidson 3 wheeler for some mobile DX work?
A: If not my XYL, I’d just have to manage with Playboy Centrefold Jennifer Walcott.

Q: Now that’s a bird I’d definitely give a ride to also… Besides your radio gear and maybe a calendar of Ms Walcott, what item can’t you do without in your radio shack?
A: My log book. It makes for good reading when the band is quiet.

Q: Speaking of reading, what was the last radio mag you read and when was it?
A: Very occasionally I read DXpedition reviews in 'The Canadian Amateur’.

Q: Can I change your answer and write ‘11m DX Activities Oz? Hahaha. We do consider ourselves to be an online dx mag after all…
A: Go for it!

Q: To finish up Adrian, what are your 11m goals for the future?
A: To keep having fun with radio and when the good propagation returns I will get out to a few more islands!

* Interview conducted by 43SD054 Darren for ‘11m DX Activities Oz’.