Not yet back on the air

I've decided to re-awaken my interest in amateur radio. After living in Portugal now for 15 years, I finally got myself a Portuguese callsign. Now how to get on the air?

I decided I don't want just to buy a transceiver and press go. I really  want to understand what is going on, so I want to build some gear. I have found that the enjoyment of using purchased equipment is nothing compared with the fun of getting something you've built yourself working.

Also it is actually about 27 years since I took my Radio Amateur's Exam in the UK. I got my UK callsign G1CWI at that time, but did not really use it. I have a lot to relearn, and I want to get on the HF bands.

I am now waiting for the Softrock RX/TX v6.3 transceiver kit I ordered to arrive. Then will start the assembly at the end of which I will have a whole 1 watt of power. 

So at the start of what I hope will be an interesting journey, I thought I'd start this blog to record the progress of an intermittent amateur. Who knows, it may even be interesting!

More to come on my early antenna ideas and my first balun...