The subject of this month’s ‘Question and Answer’ Interview has been a permanent fixture of 11m DXing in Australia for more than a quarter of a century. Whether it’s as front man for one of New South Wales’ most dynamic rock bands, as a former life saver safeguarding the beaches of his home town, or as a mainstay of the world 11m DX Community, 43AT162 Brett lives and dies by the philosophy that one should “live life to the fullest”. While others have traded in the mic for a mouse or fallen into extended periods of hibernation when the band is in a lull, Brett has battled on determinedly without hesitation, carving out a name for himself as Australia’s finest ever 11m DXer.

D: What’s the name on your school report card?
B: Brett David Saville

D: Got a Nickname, Brett?
B: Sav.

D: In what state/ city/ town do you live?
B: In the small hinterland village of Meerschaum Vale in northern New South Wales — around 15 minutes southwest of Ballina. You’ve visited remember, lol?

D: Ah yes, my home town of Ballina. We actually knew each other quite well growing up. You were my radio hero! What do you recall most about me as an immature youngster, lol?
B: You were into radios at a young age which was great. And you loved the Parramatta Eels football team.

D: I’m always seeing your callsign on Cluster dk, Brett — so Meerschaum Vale must be a great DX location. What’s your height above sea level there?
B: I’m not sure, mate. I know we’re on a hill overlooking a lovely green valley so I guess that would help, lol.

D: Family? Kids? Pets?
B: No kids. Just a little dog called Nipper.

D: So you and 43TR299 have something in common then?
B: Very true. They say “behind every good DXer there’s a good dog!”

D: Don’t you mean “a good woman”?
B: Whatever

D: By the time I’d bought my first ever radio you’d already established yourself as a DX guru of sorts. When did you start out?
B: I’ve been operating on the 11m band seriously since February 1980.

D: 26 years — Gees you must be knocking on the 50 door?
B: I’m 40 years old.

D: How did you get into radio communications, Brett?
B: A mate had a Uniden Washington with a Skystick antenna up pretty high. I went around to his house and he was speaking with a guy in Missouri in the United States of America on 38 LSB. That was it — I was hooked!

D: What was your first ever transceiver and who bought it for you?
B: It was an AWA TELE RADIO SSB 518 for my 14th birthday in 1980 and my parents bought it for me.

D: How much did they pay for it?
B: About $130AUS I think

D: What’s your most vivid memory of DXing in Ballina in those early years?
B: There were more people on the radio back then, but using standard CB gear by Uniden, Pearce Simpson etc.

D: Can you remember any of the local DXers, say 20 years back?
B: Not really. I was in the Navy at the time and only set up the radio when I was home on leave but 43IR124 John has been around a long time. Others come and go.

D: Back to current times, what callsign are you using at the moment?
B: 43 AT 162

D: How long have you been in the Alfa Tango DX Group, Brett?
B: Since July 2003.

D: I’ve heard from some ex-AT members that Alfa Tango HQ are quite self absorbed, too political and like to distance themselves somewhat from the rest of the 11m DX world. What’s your opinion on the matter and how have you found them?
B: I find them okay, Darren. I don't really know them personally so I can’t comment on a lot of the stuff that I hear. There’s not many active AT's in 43 Division anymore unfortunately.

D: In your time on radio Brett, you’ve been in more clubs than Elvis Presley. What are some other groups that you’ve been associated with in the past and why the changes?
B: Echo Echo (Poland), Sugar Delta (the original), Tweed Radio and Sugar Papa. The groups either folded or became too political which I didn't want to know about. After all, it's only a hobby and each fun was a load of fun at the time.

D: Any DX adventures worth sharing?
B: Not really, Darren. I enjoy a bit of mobile DX work when we're away on holidays to coastal places like Coffs Harbour.

D: That’s right. I wrote an article about your romantic trip away to Coffs with the YL a few months ago. There’s nothing like getting away for some R & R and some DX! When I was living on Thursday Island, for instance, I used to drive up to the top of Green Hill overlooking some of the nearby Torres Strait islands and DX from there. Is Coffs Harbour your favourite mobile DX location?
B: There’s a peaceful spot by the Richmond River at Ballina near the Sailing Club (you know it) which is amazing.

D: I believe you made some great contacts into Africa from that spot. Why do you think it was so conducive to good DX conditions?
B: The salt water and just the open space.

D: When you’re DX’ing from the comfort of your own home, what’s your favourite snack in the shack?
B: Popcorn and a 4X Gold King Brown!

D: What’s the worst ‘shack disaster’ you’ve ever experienced?
B: Getting my ICOM transceiver back from Melbourne and it worked for about 2 weeks and then the same thing happened again. No transmit or receive at all. The VCO was buggered. Fortunately, it works fine now 100%.

D: So you must feel for 43FR155 Dave then — understand what he’s going through I mean…
B: Yes, I was very pleased to finally get my radio back and put the dragon back in the car. Dave needs to be patient.

D: I’m sure you’ve heard some wild things on radio in your 26 years. What’s something that’s made you laugh?
B: When I had my EH Holden I heard a guy in Darwin saying he wanted to be buried in his EH Holden. Now that’s obsessive!

D: What sort of gear are you using?
B: An IC 728 by ICOM with a 3 element yagi and a station master at about 11 metres up in the air. In the car, I use the Dragon SS 485 H (25watts) with a 5ft whip on the Subaru 4WD.

D: How many DXCC have you confirmed?
B: When I joined the Alfa Tango DX Group I started all over again. At present, about 63 countries confirmed with my AT callsign. Before that it was around 190 countries confirmed.

D: Going out on a limb, I reckon you’ve worked the most DXCC on 11m for any Oz operator. How would you respond to that?
B: Thanks but I don’t think so... There’s a lot I haven’t heard yet.

D: Apart from working DXCC, what's your favourite aspect of 11m DX?
B: You don't know what you will hear and where you will hear it from.

D: Can I ask what pays the bills? Or more importantly, how do you pay for that next expensive piece of audio gear?
B: I work as a Traffic Controller for the Ballina Shire Council and I sing regularly in a well known rock band called "Crush".

D: I remember 25 odd years ago going to a blue light disco as an 11 year old and your band was playing then. I tried to talk to you but you wiped me. I think the fame must have gone to your head, lol…
B: My first paid gig, what can I say, lol.

D: Best tune? Musical influences?
B: Most Metal /Hard Rock stuff — it gets the blood pumping.

D: What’s your favourite DX’ing attire?
B: Singlet and shorts and no shoes.

D: Which TV soap best describes you as a DX’er?
B: I don't usually watch soaps but I guess "The Days of Our Lives" because you just don't know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.

D: Or maybe it’s because of your ‘love affair’ with radio or the number of clubs you’ve been through, lol?
B: HAHA, something like that.

D: What’s the best piece of radio advice you’ve ever been given?
B: Sometimes it's best to just listen and listen some more.

D: Other than being a communications fanatic, what are your other interests/ skills etc.?
B: Singing and music, keeping fit, watching Rugby League (especially Manly Sea Eagles), spending time with my wife (outdoors especially — beach, snorkelling, picnics where I can use the mobile of course!).

D: Hang on…… I asked you about family and you said you owned a dog. Doesn’t your wife count or does your dog rule the roost in your house?
B: My Wife of course… Though our Dog Nipper thinks he’s a human!

D: Complete this scenario… “The perfect DX scenario is…”
B: 5/9 signals both long and short path.

D: Greedy, greedy! What do you regard as the best DX contact you have made?
B: Working 245AT/DX long path in January 2002.

D: If you had the opportunity to conduct an activation anywhere in the world, on an unlimited budget too, what and where would it be?
B: Vanuatu (division 197) because it's a beautiful place and I went there when I was in the Navy.

D: Which island, Brett?
B: I can't remember. The Nightclub was a blast though, ha ha.

D: Whom would you MOST like to sail with on a boat to a small island in the Pacific Ocean for some IOTA DX work?
B: You of course Darren ha, ha!

D: Gee thanks, mate. Lucky you said me cos I would have written it anyway, lol! With whom would you LEAST like to sail with?
B: I'm friends with everyone so it wouldn’t bother me.

D: Besides your radio gear, what item can’t you do without in your radio shack?
B: Headphones and my wife's understanding of me calling CQDX long into the night.

D: So she’s a believer?
B: The hobby fascinates her.

D: What annoys you most about 11m radio?
B: Lack of DX as well as people who use huge power when they don't need it (my opinion only).

D: In one word, describe yourself as a DX’er:
B: Passionate.

D: What are your 11m goals for the future?
B: Try and get some DX awards with the AT Group as they have many.

D: Which one would mean the most to you?
B: The 100 countries Award which gives you 'Super' class operator status (wow....)

D: You’re relatively new to this site as a user Brett but appear to have taken to it quite enthusiastically. What’s your favourite article?
B: I love it all. Great site!

D: If you’d just won the lotto and could buy the best radio gear possible, what would you buy?
B: A tower and build on an extra room that becomes the Radio Room instead of our main bedroom.

D: What’s the latest piece of radio gear you bought and where did you buy it from?
B: My Wife bought me a Doss 40amp supply (like yours) last Christmas from Melbourne (VK HAM). You recommended the guy to me.

D: To finish up, complete this analogy, "11m DX’ing is like a stubby of beer because..."
B: It still gives me a buzz!

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