G3ZDQ

Episode 532 – Ian Flemming – G3ZDQ

Ian Flemming, G3ZDQ, grew up tuning mysterious signals on his grandfather’s radio in northwest England, a spark that led to a lifelong journey through classic gear, pioneering microprocessor work, Raynet emergency communications, digital modes, canal boat-portable QRP operation, and the restoration of iconic British radios from KW Electronics and Eddystone. His story weaves technical curiosity, professional engineering, and a deep love for radio’s evolving technologies—from Hartley transmitters and 6146 finals to modern digital modes. G3ZDQ is my QSO Today.

Show Notes

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https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/cushcraft/products/a-3sPeople (Amateur Radio, Mentors, Historical Figures)
Ian Flemming G3ZDQ – UK amateur radio operator and interview guest.
https://www.qrz.com/db/G3ZDQ

Uncle Glenn (RAF radioman) – Family member who introduced Ian to radio and Morse.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force

Harold McCormick G3IYH – Early mentor with classic Hallicrafters and KW gear.
(Reference via UK callsign database) https://www.qrz.com

Rollie Shears G8KW – Co-founder of KW Electronics.
https://www.qrz.com/db/G8KW

Ken Ellis G5KW – Early partner in KW Electronics.
https://www.qrz.com/db/G5KW

Tim Berners-Lee – Engineer colleague; inventor of the World Wide Web.
https://www.w3.org/People/Berners-Lee/

Jim Taylor G4EIU – Vintage radio collector and mentor.
https://www.qrz.com/db/G4EIU

Lou VE3AWA – Builder of vintage transmitters; collaborator in pre-1929 gear.
https://www.qrz.com/db/VE3AWA

Tom Motes KN4RRQ – U.S. operator involved in transatlantic vintage-radio contact.
https://www.qrz.com/db/KN4RRQ

K4SWL (Thomas Witherspoon) – Popular portable-radio YouTuber.
https://www.youtube.com/c/K4SWL

Places & Geography
New Mills, Derbyshire – Ian’s hometown in northwest England.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mills

Pennine Mountains – Mountain range near Ian’s childhood home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennines

Dorset, UK – Ian’s current QTH on England’s south coast.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset

Jurassic Coast – Fossil-rich UNESCO site near Ian’s home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Coast

Bangor University – Ian’s university and radio club location.
https://www.bangor.ac.uk

Floyd, West Virginia – Location of Tom Motes’ station and beverage antenna.
https://townoffloyd.org/

UK Inland Waterways / Canals – Over 2,000 miles of navigable canals.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk

Radios, Equipment & Components
Hallicrafters SX-111 – Classic HF communications receiver.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/hallicra_sx_111.html

KW Viceroy – Early UK SSB transmitter by KW Electronics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7mbdfMPwd8

KW 2000 / A / B Transceivers – KW Electronics HF transceivers from 1960s.
https://www.rigpix.com/kw/2000.htm

KW Atlanta – KW HF transceiver similar to Swan 500.
http://www.g3zps.com/atlanta.html

Swan 500 – U.S. HF transceiver referenced for comparison.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/swan_500c.html

Eddystone EA12 – HF communications receiver, amateur-bands version.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/eddystone_ear12.html

R1155 – WWII RAF receiver used in Lancaster bombers.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_r1155.html

IC-7610 (Icom) – Ian’s modern SDR transceiver.
https://www.icomjapan.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/

IC-7300 (Icom) – Popular SDR HF transceiver.
https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

IC-705 (Icom) – Portable HF/VHF/UHF QRP transceiver.
https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-705/www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-705/

FT-DX5000 (Yaesu) – High-end HF/50 MHz transceiver.
https://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ftdx5000mp.htm

6146 Tube – Popular HF power amplifier valve.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6146_(vacuum_tube)

UX-171 Tube – 1920s triode used in vintage transmitters.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_171.html

Type 27 Tube – 1928 indirectly heated triode.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_27.html

Hartley Oscillator / Transmitter – Classic 1920s single-tube circuit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartley_oscillator

Decatrons – Cold-cathode counting tubes used in early logic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatron

Antennas & Towers
V-Beam Antenna – Directional wire antenna used in early listening experiences.
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/end-fed-wire-antenna/v-beam-antenna-basics.php

Versa Tower – UK crank-up lattice tower for HF beams.
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/end-fed-wire-antenna/v-beam-antenna-basics.php

Cushcraft Beam (3-element) – HF Yagi beam from Cushcraft.
https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/cushcraft/products/a-3s

End-Fed Half-Wave (66 ft) – Ian’s current HF wire antenna.
https://www.aa5tb.com/efha.html

DX Commander Vertical – Multi-band vertical antenna system.
https://www.dxcommander.com

Beverage Antenna – Long-wire receiving antenna for weak signals.
http://www.w8ji.com/beverages.htmwww.w8ji.com/beverages.htm

Radiosport, Modes & Digital Tools
SSB (Single Sideband) – Primary HF voice mode.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-sideband_modulation

CW / Morse Code – Legacy and modern narrowband mode.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code

FT8 – Popular weak-signal digital mode.
https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) – Low-power propagation tool.
https://www.wsprnet.org

PSK31 – Narrowband keyboard digital mode.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSK31

EchoLink – Internet-linked amateur radio VoIP system.
https://www.echolink.org

IRLP – Internet Radio Linking Project for repeaters.
http://www.irlp.net

Ham Radio Deluxe – Logging and station control suite.
https://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com

GridTracker – Mapping and FT8/WSJT-X analysis tool.
https://gridtracker.org

Organizations & Clubs
Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) – National amateur radio society in the UK.
https://rsgb.org

ARRL – American Radio Relay League – National U.S. amateur radio organization.
https://www.arrl.org

Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network (RAYNET UK) – UK emergency-communications organization.
https://www.raynet-uk.net

Bournemouth Radio Club – Local club supporting Raynet activity.
https://www.barc.org.uk

Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society – Amateur radio club in Dorset.
https://www.bvars.org.uk

Antique Wireless Association (AWA) – U.S. organization preserving radio history.
https://www.antiquewireless.org

British Vintage Wireless Society (BVWS) – UK vintage radio preservation group.
https://www.bvws.org.uk

City & Guilds of London Institute – Exam authority for early UK amateur licenses.
https://www.cityandguilds.com

Events & Awards
KW Days – Annual on-air operating event featuring KW Electronics gear.
https://cvrs.uk/kw-weekend-2025/

Bruce Kelly Memorial QSO Party – Pre-1929 radio operating event.
https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/bruce-kelley-1929-qso-party/

QRZ Awards Program – Online confirmation and certificate system.
https://shop.qrz.com/collections/awards

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