Hi, I’m a licensed amateur radio operator using the callsign G7LFC. Otherwise know as Derek, I live in Ormskirk, Lancashire, about 10 miles north of Liverpool. I am married to Alison and have three grown up children; David, Rebecca and Duke. Oh, Duke’s a big black Lurcher/Labrador cross.
Before you ask, no, I’m not a Liverpool Football Club (LFC) supporter, I was allocated my callsign by the Radiocommunications Agency (forerunner to Ofcom) – picking your own callsign was not so much a thing back in 1992. As it happens, for greater or worse, I’m actually a Blackburn Rovers fan.
Communications & networking
I have been involved in the communications industry since 1980. Having worked in radio communications for several years I stepped sideways in to the related field of network management. Having not obtained a degree when younger, I decided to return to education and read Web Systems Development at Edge Hill University College. I graduated with a first class honours degree, awarded by Lancaster University, as Edge Hill were not authorised to issue degrees at that time.
Following my time at Edge Hill I formed Dynanti Web Design with a friend and this thrived for several years before the appeal of full-time teaching contract at Southport College, teaching electronics and computer science, lured me away.
Cyber Security
Following redundancy from the college in 2021, I moved in to Cyber Security and am now a Cyber Security Engineer.
Spare time
In my spare time I am the Chairman of the Quantum Technology Club and run the Ormskirk Code Club to encourage youngsters in to a career in technology.
In addition to amateur radio I enjoy walking, photography and motorsport – especially rallying and the British Touring Car Championship.