A Trip Down Memory Lane Pt1

Before my blog ventures into anything of a technical nature I thought it would fun to briefly document how my journey into the world of electronics and radio all began.

In 1972 I was 8 years of age and had a great fascination for batteries and bulbs, I purchased a Pifco torch from the local TV rental shop which gave me hours of fun especially when equipped with a fresh set of batteries on a smog laden foggy evening, the thrill of shining that torch beam into the depths of "pea soup" were a testimony of the "Big Smoke" a period where everyone had coal fires and polluted the atmosphere.

British coal miners went on strike in January and February of 1972 for 47 days and the UK was declared in a state of emergency. Britain experienced regular and lengthy power cuts during the seventies which put the nation into darkness. I remember my parents rationing the use of candles in fear that they would not be able to buy more and the Pifco torch I used as a play thing became a necessity providing much needed light in the pitch black of night.

On December 7th 1972 I witnessed the launch of Apollo 17, this was NASA's final Apollo mission and the crew made a historic journey into space for a record 12 days returning to earth on December 19th.

During 1972 I embarked on a journey of my own that would be life changing and catapult me in to a whole new world... Okay my journey was not as exciting as the Apollo spaceflight and a mere stroll down to the local newsagents but what followed was tinkering bliss.