My passion for the radio began when I started playing with two Walkie Talkie, about 1987 at elementary school; I was 9 years old. In the first class of middle school I bought from a school friend a portable CB and I was know in radio like 'Mimmo'; that was 1989.

I have know many friends via ether, especially on Channel 8; from one of these I have bought my first fixed CB station (1990).
At that time I did not understand very much about radio and, therefore, I had installed the 1 mt. antenna in my room. Clearly, to my surprise, after a short time my radio didn't have any more intention to transmit. After the repair I discovered things are the SWR-Meter, thanks to the indications of a retailer, and I begun to understand. Then I bought from this retailer, about 1991 / 1992, another CB Station, Power Supply with Ampere and Volt meter and balcony antenna Boomerang 1.7m installed on the roof.

In 1993 I discovered the SSB and I begun my DX transmission. Then I bought a Futura 5/8 antenna, often fell down from ther roof; I was only 15 years old. Here is the beginning of the period of 'spending money'. I bought and I sold many SWR-Meter, preamplifier, microphones etc.

When I attended the School of Commerce (Chiasso 1995 / 1996) my school results were not brilliant because I preferred to spend all my free time at the radio rather than to study. That year I didin't pass; it was not my school.
Following the advice of my parents, June 1996, I sold all the CB radio station and with that money I bought the long wished radio: the HF (Yaesu FT-990) with a good antenna Mantova 5 (Sigma Antenne Italy).

I had also the mobile station; President Lincoln on the Scooter for DX above 1000 over the sea (Monte Generoso, JN45LM).

Speaking with radio friends I heard about the existence of a Packet Radio BBS in 27 Mhz in Lugano. If I remember the call was HEE216. I equipped myself with a computer (80286) and Baycom Packet Radio 1200 bps (kit from Nuova Elettronica). I enrolled in the radio group 'Il Gabbiano' and I received the international Call HEE219 from the autority; I think was November 1996.

After some months I started the Course for Radio Amateurs (prescription and electrical engineering), about six months, from January to June 1997 (every monday and thursday evening) in Trevano, to obtain the License. The teacher was HB9PUE Mauro.
On 12 June 1997 we went to Bern (capital of Switzerland) for the examination. I passed and I received the international call HB9ODP. Then I bought a Dual Band Handy Kenwood TH-79.

From July to November 1997 I was in the army (telephone operator) in Fribourg, in the barrack 'la Poya'.
Then I started my apprentice as Informatic Technician in Trevano. Thanks to the Radio Amateur course in four years I never opened the electronics books.

In march 2001 I had a vacation week to make a new antenna system with a small attice under the roof. I have mounted some Yagi antennas (thanks to HB9OAR Moreno) and antenna rotator Yaesu G-5400B. On august 2001 I have bought the Yaesu FT-847 all mode transceiver for satellite communication.

Then I went for 3 weeks to military service (September 2001) for instruction of the new military radio SE-235 at the S. Gotthard pass.

From October 2001 to June 2002 I have very rarely switched on the radio for some work problems.
In july 2002 I bought a small dual band vertical antenna (Diamond X-30 1.3m) with a duplexer and then I went on holiday for 3 weeks; my car was full of radio and antenna equipments.

In November 2004 I have begun my HF activity with a dipole G5RV; in March 2005 I have mounted one Yagi 4 elements, 10 to 40m bands (Thanks to HB9ODK Manuel) and an EH antenna for the 80m band.

For the future…
I'm planning to study the morse.

Mattia - HB9ODP