A Brief Introduction to Amateur Radio
Taken from www.rsgb.org

    "...Amateur radio is all about the skill and fascination of communicating using radio. It is open to all, young or old.
Radio Amateurs are often active in assisting by providing communications after disasters and emergencies that damage or overload regular lines of communications and in many countries have organized themselves into voluntary groups who train to provide Emergency and Public Service communications.

Amateur radio operators, also known as "hams", continued to be at the forefront of developing technologies years in advance of when they are rolled out to the public. FM, television VoIP, and even cellular telephones were all used by amateur radio operators many years ahead of the public.
They have their own communication satellites, talk to the international space station and are at the very cutting edge of technology in many areas.
If you are contemplating any form of career in technology there is no better skill to have than that of being a radio amateur!..." 


 

My Interest in Amateur Radio

I hold a full Amateur Radio Licence, callsign M0PTO.  I was first licensed as M3WCG.
My dad, Dennis G4NRW, got me interested in the hobby from an early age, but the thought of a 12 word per minute Morse (CW) exam put me off, until they got rid of the compulsory Morse test a few years ago. 
Funnily enough - the thing which kept me away is now a major interest.

My equipment is a lovely Yaesu FT-817 QRP rig, with a Miracle Whip for mobile use - and a Kenwood TS530s, which kicks out 100 watts!  I also have a Yaesu FT-1500M 2m mobile rig, giving 50w.
Find out more about the rigs here Yaesu FT-817  Kenwood TS530s Yaesu FT-1500M

A major interest in Amateur Radio for me is Morse Code - or CW as we call it.  Along with 4/5 others, I was taught to send and receive to a reasonable standard by Roger G3LDI www.g3ldi.co.uk
I'm interested in the competitive aspect of Amateur Radio, and take part in the national and international contests when I can.

I passed all three of my Amateur Radio exams (foundation, intermediate and full) thanks to the lovely people at Norfolk Amateur Radio Club www.norfolkamateurradio.org
Special thanks to Rex G0CLR, Colin G7UVY and Dave G7URP for their time and generosity, and to John G0MXN for answering my questions (almost every week!) during the Full Licence course.

 

Amateur Radio is a lovely hobby, and now with the three tier licences, it's the easier than ever to get into.
Norfolk Amateur Radio Club offers free courses, and in just one weekend you can walk away with an exam pass slip.  You'll then be able to send off for your first callsign - either pot luck, or individual to you.
The foundation licence allows access to most bands, with 10 watts.  That's easily enough to speak all the way around the world on the right bands with the right conditions.
If you progress to the Full licence (what used to be known as the 'A' type) then you can make your own equipment, you'll have full access to all of the bands, and have up to 400w to play with!

I'll put more up here when I get the chance!
73 de Matt