Amateur Radio
Are you an Amateur Radio enthusiast?
Did you ever hold a Callsign and would like to re-connect?
Would you like to train for your radio licence and own callsign?
For more detailed information, assistance and support please get in touch with me.
Why Amateur Radio?
Amateur Radio is a worldwide hobby of over 500,000 and in the UK we have around 40,000 operators and is open to everyone who holds a licence and callsign from OFCOM our UK Radio regulator.
We can use renovated valve based vintage radios for historical re-enactments to experimenting with state-of the art digital modes, amateur TV and satellite links, moonbounce and meteor showers for long distance contacts. There are many aspects and competitions and awards are based on distance the time of day spectrum and power used.
Our hobby encourages making contact with other operators and groups or ‘nets’ often on a regular schedule especially for local and regional contacts to catch up with local news. The hobby also has exciting long distance openings dependent on the radio conditions. There is much interest when field expeditions are made to activate callsigns in unusual locations such as a recent event to Rockall.
By co-ordination with RAYNET and the St John’s Ambulance service a more serious aspect of Amateur Radio is to provide assistance with Search and Rescue and Community fund raising events with the relaying of emergency communication.
For the u3a the hobby is one of self-discipline, encouraging learning with others and exploring and is a very rewarding experience.
There are numerous websites listed below for more detailed background and further reading.
National events
- Overall we have the worldwide body International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) | Global which works alongside CEPT and the ITU (the group that governs 3GPP and 5G Cellular specifications ) so this is always important and last year there was the world-radio 23 conference which is being digested by OFCOM and the space weather which considers the radio propagation effects from the Sun.
- We have on April the 18th 2025 World Amateur Radio Day | International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
Worldwide resources
Ofcom
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/radio-equipment/amateur-radio/
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
Applications
Zello Smartphone Application
Social media
Facebook Amateur Radio Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/12699105116/
Organisations
Main RSGB Website
Essex Ham Main Website.
South Gate Radio Club.
Swindon and District Radio Club
Manufacturers
Yaesu ( Manufacturer )
Kenwood Radios ( Manufacturer )
https://kenwoodcommunications.co.uk/amateur-radio/
Icom Radios ( Manufacturer )
https://icomuk.co.uk/Amateur_Radio_Ham
Batc QO-100 websdr
https://eshail.batc.org.uk/wb/
Digital Mobile Radio.
http://www.dmr-uk.net/index.php/uk-live-monitor/
D-Star ( Another Digital Radio Mode )
https://icomuk.co.uk/What-is-D-STAR
High Performance Receivers for connecting to a PC.
Amateur radio – useful organisations
In the United Kingdom, AMSAT-UK (Club callsign – G0AUK) represents the interests of amateur satellite operators.
AMSAT-UK members have been instrumental in the development, manufacture and funding of several amateur satellites.
AMSAT-UK has approximately 600 members and produces a quarterly publication Oscar News. A weekly net is held on 3.780 kHz +/- QRM every Sunday at 10am local time. You do not have to be a member to join the net – anyone with an interest in satellites is welcome.
Funding for amateur satellites comes from a number of sources including the national AMSAT societies. With the generous donations and subscriptions of its members, AMSAT-UK helps to keep amateur satellites in space. So if you use amateur satellites, remember to contribute by joining AMSAT-UK!
The British Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (BARLS) was formed in 2002 by Steve Bryan G0SGB before being handed over to Mark Procter G1PIE in April 2013.
The society is for its members who are interested in Lighthouse/Lightships history around the UK and beyond.
The lighthouses can activated by anybody but only BARLS members can collect the awards in the scheme.
BARLS new team is Mark G1PIE, Pam 2E1HQY, Phil G0ABY, Bill M0BNN, and finally WAB awards manager Dave G4IAR.
We welcome all radio amateurs to join us from around the UK and beyond and SWL are very welcome.
BARTG was founded in 1959. Our aim is to support and encourage all forms of amateur radio datacoms.
Please browse our website at www.bartg.org.uk and learn more about our long established, popular and successful Awards and Contests.
We have a For Sale/Wanted page to help to get datacomms equipment into appreciative shacks.
For all information regarding contest logs, please visit our LOG INFORMATION page on our website.
Welcome to the British Amateur Television Club Wiki
Whether it’s watching live video from the International Space Station, developing high-speed data links to carry digital TV signals, helping produce programs for live streaming, building pre-amps and high power amplifiers for the microwave bands or restoring vintage cameras and outside broadcast vans, the world of Amateur Television (ATV) has something to interest everyone!
Amateur television is a fascinating area of amateur radio covering all aspects of video production, editing, transmission and reception of television and has always been at the forefront of the technology revolution. Many stations are now transmitting Digital pictures (DATV) using the DVB broadcast standards and using video streaming technologies to exchange pictures with ATV operators around the world.
All amateur bands above 432 MHz are suitable for amateur TV, along with the experimental-NoV bands at 71 MHz and 146 MHz which support the innovative use of DATV at VHF.
Membership of our society is open to employees of British railway companies and railway enthusiasts who have an interest in any facet of amateur radio, be it short wave listening to radio experimentation.
We run nets on HF which members and visitors are welcome to join. The international group FIRAC (to which we are affiliated) also run nets.
We publish a regular newsletter entitled “Rails & Radio”.
If you require any further information, please visit our website www.brars.info or e-mail our secretary Ian G4EAN.
The British Young Ladies Amateur Radio Association (BYLARA) was founded in April 1979 to further YL operating in Britain and so promote friendship, stimulate interest and, in particular, encourage good operating techniques and courtesy to all operators at all times.
BYLARA is affiliated to the RSGB and membership is open to all.
CDXC is the UK’s premier amateur radio DX Foundation, with around 800 members, dedicated to encouraging excellence in long distance radio communications (DXing) and HF contesting.
Here are five reasons why you can benefit from being a member of CDXC!
- Be part of the CDXC Community
2. Help sponsor DXpeditions
3. The CDXC Digest magazine and website
4. Learn from other CDXC Members
5. CDXC Social events
CDXC began in the 1980s, formed by a small group of keen DXers. Since then CDXC has grown substantially with our members sharing a common interest in HF DX and contesting, drawn together by their shared values of high standards of operating and DXing skills. CDXC has become one of the largest and most respected DX groups in the world.
The First Class CW Operators’ Club (FOC) was founded in 1938. The aim of the Club is to promote good CW (Morse code) operating, activity, friendship and socialising. The Club is UK-based, with many international members.
FOC has approximately 500 members, who will typically meet both on air and in person. The Club holds a wide range of social gatherings throughout the year, in many different countries. The character of the club is best expressed in its motto, “A man should keep his friendship in constant repair” (Samuel Johnson, 1755).
Membership of FOC is achieved through a process of nomination by existing members, based on on-air activity and other criteria which are explained on the Club’s web site.
Formed in 1974, the GQRP Club is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers to promote Low Power Radio. Whether you have a ham licence or not – everyone is welcome.
Some say life is too short for QRP, but the 4000 or so members of the G-QRP Club show that you don’t need to run high transmit powers to make contacts and enjoy amateur radio. The advantages of small portable gear, reduced risk of EMC problems, and the thrill of making contacts with ‘flea power’ are all good reasons to join the QRP community.
Membership fees for the G-QRP Club are about as low as you will find anywhere at just £6 a year. What does that get you?
Our well-respected quarterly journal SPRAT provides a fascinating read containing articles of varying complexity, from simple test equipment, to fully functioning radio transmitters and receivers. The technology ranges all the way from valves to modern digital circuits.
Members have access to our Club Sales who stock books, components and kits for those interested in homebrew. Prices are in keeping with a not-for-profit organisation.
We organise a number of activity periods, like our Winter Sports, and we have a range of awards to recognise achievements in QRP operating. Even in times of low sun spot activity, members are making contacts all over the globe. Could you be the next QRP Master?
Every year we host a Convention where members meet up with like-minded folk, learn from QRP-related talks and take part in a kit building workshop or Buildathon.
Members who hold a Full UK Licence can also be authorised to use the Club call, G5LOW.
Want to know more? Please explore our website and if you would like to join us we would love to welcome you to our membership.
The International Short Wave League (ISWL) was formed in 1946 and for 68 Years has provided facilities enabling members around the world to enjoy their hobby to the great advantage to themselves and fellow enthusiasts.
Unlike most radio societies, the League effectively caters for members interested in both the Amateur and Broadcast Bands, membership being equally open to licensed amateurs and Short Wave Listeners world-wide. The International Short Wave League is a non profit making organisation, run by volunteers who are elected by the League’s members.
ALL of our members can participate in a full contest and awards programme.
Our awards are also available to non members and can be posted world-wide.
Following enquiries from Amateur Radio Clubs and Societies etc., regarding Affiliated membership of the ISWL, the League’s Council has approved such membership.
Clubs and other Radio organisations are very welcome to join the League.
A leaflet has been prepared to outline what the ISWL has to offer, to both Individual members and Affiliated Clubs and Societies.
The RAIBC is the charity working for amateurs with disabilities.
Amateur radio often appeals to people with disabilities as it enables communication without leaving the home. It is a way to ‘travel’ the world and meet its inhabitants despite ones health problems. It is also an excellent form of self education in communications equipment, electronics and the effect of the weather and the sun on communications. Much, if not all, of this can be accomplished and enjoyed no matter what ones disabilities are. In addition there is no minimum activity required. An amateur can do as much or as little as they like or are able to do. Great satisfaction and enjoyment can and will be had.
Amateurs are able to enjoy the hobby despite many different problems. Those with visual impairments, speech impediments, hearing loss, paralysis and many other difficulties can and do enjoy amateur radio.
How can RAIBC help?
We have years of experience in assisting people to become amateurs. We can provide the license course material in an audio format. We can also provide transmitting or receiving equipment to eligible members. The equipment can be adapted to ensure that a persons disabilities do not become an obstacle to operating a radio. For example providing a radio with a voice chip which will “speak” the frequency and mode that is in use. We can also provide lots of advice on what equipment to use, aerials to put up and of course a group of like minded individuals who understand each others problems.
The RADIO AMATEUR OLD TIMERS’ ASSOCIATION (RAOTA) seeks to keep alive the pioneer spirit and traditions of the past in today’s Amateur Radio by means of personal and radio contact, whilst being mindful of any special needs.
Full Membership: Open to anyone who has been actively involved in Amateur Radio for over 25 years. You do not need to have held an Amateur Radio licence for the whole of that period of time, or even to have held one at all.
Associate membership: Those who have been actively involved in Amateur Radio for a shorter period are warmly invited to apply for Associate Membership. This carries all the benefits of full membership, but without the voting rights.
All members receive our quarterly magazine, OT News, which is professionally printed using digital techniques.
For those with limited eyesight OT News is also available on a variety of audio media. For details see the Audio News Page.
RAYNET has been established for over 60 years, born from the need to supply critical communications in a disaster and still providing services where communications are overloaded or non-existent today. Although technology has changed radically, so have the threats and vulnerabilities to the communications the public takes for granted.
RAYNET-UK encompasses all groups involved with voluntary and emergency communications in the United Kingdom. There are currently ~1800 members in a national network of over 100 local groups, who liaise with emergency services, local authorities and other voluntary agencies who could be involved in the integrated management response to major civil emergencies.
The most visible RAYNET activity is our support to Public Service events where message passing, engineering skills and operational procedures can be tried and tested, but groups also work with the emergency services and local authority emergency planning units on both live exercises and table-top simulations. For information, please go to our Website.
The Radio Officers’ Association (ROA) was formed in 1995 as a membership organisation with two principal aims:
- to seek out, honour and preserve the distinguished history of marine radio.
- to provide former radio officers with the means to share their experiences.
Membership of the ROA is reserved for those who have served as radio officers in a merchant navy, coast radio stations and civil aviation and is not restricted to UK nationals. Exceptionally, membership can be granted to those who have made a contribution to the industry in other ways.
Radio Officers
The commercial exploitation of wireless at sea about 1900 revolutionised ship-shore communications and much improved safety of life at sea. From then until the end of the twentieth century ship-shore communication in the merchant fleets of the world was in the hands of specialist Radio Officers. Over time the industry turned to the Radio Officer for the maintenance of navigation aids and engine room electronics as well as the management of the communications systems.
By the turn of that century the rank of Radio Officer had passed into history as technological developments removed the need for high specialisation. Some left the sea but many moved easily into the new rank of Electro-Technical Officer (ETO). The ETO has the important function of maintaining the complex electronics installations throughout the ship and a number of them are in membership of the Association.
Radio Officers also manned coast radio stations and had counterparts in civil aviation. They too have a worthy place in distinguished history of communications in the twentieth century.
The Merchant Navy was at the forefront in all the armed conflicts of the twentieth century and is sometimes referred to the fourth arm of the defence of the nation. In those conflicts many Radio Officers performed extraordinary acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. It is of no surprise that in World War II, of the 30,000 casualties suffered by the British Merchant Navy, no less than 10 percent were Radio Officers and Masters. By tradition the Master was the last to leave a sinking ship and he was immediately preceded by the Radio Officer, who had been sending out the last urgent calls for help. Many Radio Officers were killed at their posts as the Radio Room was regularly the first target of shelling. We salute them all.
About the ROA
The annual subscription entitles members to receive the Association’s prize-winning Journal (QSO) which is published four times a year. Its many pages contain articles from members and others and acts as a communication channel for the affairs of the Association. In addition this website, through its Forum and Announcements Pages, provides for discussions and announcements of forthcoming events that have a need for greater immediacy.
The Association is managed by a Committee of Officers and Ordinary Members which reports to the membership through the Journal and at AGM. The AGM is always paired with a popular reunion and dinner and is always great fun. Local groups are also entitled to central support.
Fraternal and professional links maintained with other Merchant Navy associations and professional bodies are used to good effect in the dealing with common issues. The Association acts with these organisations at commemorative events nationally and locally.
The Archivist actively pursues historical matters, including the acquisition and cataloguing of material. He has developed positive liaisons with specialist museums and libraries and has promoted Radio Officers’ sections in libraries and collections.
The Association has its own radio amateur group, the Radio Officers’ Amateur Radio Society (ROARS). This is separately managed by a sub-committee and publishes its own Journal QRZ, which is sent out with QSO to all members.
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society (www.rnars.org.uk) promotes and fosters Amateur Radio activity by serving and ex-members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. It liaises with the Radio Societies of the other UK Services and with other Navies throughout the world.
The Society was founded in 1960 and the Inaugural Meeting was held on 25th June in the Cinema of HMS Mercury, East Meon, Hampshire. The Headquarters of the Society is in HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire.
Membership is open to all Radio Amateurs with an interest in maritime affairs but particularly those who have served or are serving in:
- Royal Navy
- Royal Marines
- Women’s Royal Naval Service
- Royal Naval Reserve
- Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
- Merchant Service
- Sea Cadet Corps
- Nautical Training Corps
- Coastguards
- RNLI
- Ministry of Defence in a civilian capacity
- Commonwealth & other Navies
Groups & Clubs as well as individuals can join the Society.
The Society provides members with:
- A Newsletter published three times a year and posted or delivered electronically
- Our own QSL Bureau
- Local and DX nets
- Participation in national and international naval contests
- Our own area representative scheme
- Access to our well equipped HQ Shack in HMS Collingwood
The Society has members all over the world with members and groups in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the USA.
Summits on the Air
Summits on the Air (SOTA) is an award scheme for radio amateurs and shortwave listeners that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas. SOTA has been carefully designed to make participation possible for everyone – this is not just for mountaineers!
There are awards for activators (those who ascend to the summits) and chasers (who either operate from home, a local hilltop or are even Activators on other summits).
SOTA is now fully operational in many countries across the world. Each country has its own Association which defines the recognised SOTA summits within that Association. Each summit earns the activators and chasers a score which is related to the height of the summit.
Certificates are available for various scores, leading to the prestigious “Mountain Goat” and “Shack Sloth” trophies. An Honour Roll for Activators and Chasers is maintained at the SOTA online database.
SOTA is designed to be compatible with other mountain users.
The leading club in the RSGB Activity contests in 2013 and 2014 is the relatively new Travelling Wave Contest Group.
What is the secret of their success?
From the start the group set out to be a friendly and supportive group and at that time there was no intention to develop into a winning team, although, of course, the members are competitive or they wouldn’t be contesting.
The group is affiliated to the RSGB and have a set of principles which all members accept: not pressuring anyone to do something that they do not want to do, encourage participation in RSGB contests, improve equipment and skills of members by being supportive and above all, to have fun!
The approach attracted members who didn’t have a local club or where the local club didn’t have any interest in contesting.
Within the group all members are treated with equal respect, so operators with smaller stations or less experience are just as welcome as the ‘big guns’.
As members of the group are located across the UK the main method of communication between members is via the internet with email, Skype and a private Yahoo group being the main channels.
Even committee meetings and the AGM are via Skype.
In addition there are occasional face to face meetings between groups of members at radio exhibitions and rallies or at pub lunches.
The group has its own simple website which contains basic information about the group and contact details.
At first the focus was on the RSGB 80m Club Contests but as the group expanded, mainly through personal contacts of existing members, there was a move towards adding the ACs to the portfolio.
The approach taken by the TWCG has been extremely successful with the group moving from 38th position in the ACs in 2011 to 3rd in 2012 to leading position trophy winners in both 2013 and 2014.
They also entered their first /P contest, VHF NFD, in 2013 winning the 144MHz restricted section and taking third place overall.
Along this journey they reactivated many operators’ interest in contesting, encouraged many station and skill improvements and certainly added to the activity in the ACs.
The group has a commitment to providing innovative technical and operational support to those who are new to contesting and to old hands through an informal exchange of ideas and information among members as well as offering the opportunity to be part of a winning team.
The UK Six Metre Group (UKSMG) is dedicated to promoting 50MHz activity around the world. The group has around 600 members.
The Six Metre (50 MHz) band can be exciting and frustrating in equal measure but it’s never dull. Despite what you might have heard, it’s far from dead despite the current poor solar cycle. Sporadic-E, the main mode for working long distances on six metres, is not dependent on solar activity and if anything it seems to be slightly better at solar minimum. Working DX on 50 MHz is never going to be as easy as on 20m but that’s the whole point – if it was easy, it wouldn’t be half as much fun. When the band is open, you’ll quickly realise why it’s called ‘The Magic Band’!
Sponsorship is one of the key services provided by UKSMG and has been since the group’s inception. There is no fixed budget for this service. However the amounts awarded have remained fairly similar year on year. Groups or individuals are invited to apply for sponsorship through the website here however, an email to the sponsorship manager will also start the ball rolling. There are a few caveats that we place upon recipients of our funds however these are not onerous and may be found on the group website.
The group also runs a number of contests during the summer and winter months and various awards are available. These are often awarded at the biennial UK 6m BBQ which is sponsored by the group.
Membership of the group includes a quarterly magazine “Six News” which is available both in printed and electronic only format depending on the level of membership.
The UK Microwave Group (UKuG) is the representative group for all radio amateurs interested in the microwave spectrum.
Its newsletter Scatterpoint is published online for members about 10 times each year.
It offers access to a volunteer technical support team consisting of experienced microwavers in most parts of the UK, with good test equipment, loan equipment and a free ‘chipbank’ components service to its members.
UKuG also organises contests on all licensed bands in the microwave region, provides operating awards, and keeps listings of records and ‘firsts’.
The Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society (VMARS) was formed with the broad aims of preserving our wireless heritage and assisting like minded individuals with restoration and operation of equipment, including items such as radar, radio altimeters, mine detectors, IFF sets and similar devices.
VMARS members have a strong following of early amateur, marine and commercial transmitters and receivers, and of military communications sets, many using amplitude modulation, making the promotion and continued use of AM, as well as other early modes such as CW, one of our primary aims. This leads to another important element of the Society, which is to encourage projects involving the design and construction of equipment for use in these early transmission modes, usually employing valves but frequently using more modern techniques.
The Society maintains two excellent web sites, one for manuals, circuit diagrams and other technical information and another for Society news, events video and photographs and vintage radio and equipment related films, documentaries and recordings among other items of interest. These sites can be found at www.vmars.org.uk and are freely accessible to all users of the internet. VMARS also operate two Yahoo Group forums which are for members only and are for technical and VMARS related discussions and for trading items of equipment and spares between Society members.
VMARS events are a highlight for many members. As well as undertaking our Annual General Meeting, which is held during the summer months at an interesting location, the Society attends various radio related events and rallies around the country, where members have the opportunity to meet each other, view and operate vintage and military equipment and enjoy the facilities of our chosen location.
Another aim of the Society is to promote the interchange of radio equipment between members and a regular feature of the VMARS calendar year are the Society auction sales of vintage and military equipment, which provide a very good opportunity for members to purchase items for their collections at very reasonable cost. We also hold occasional bring and buy sales for members. Details of all these events are published in our monthly News Sheet, along with member’s equipment and spares sales, news and photographs of events and personalities in the Society and articles of general interest. VMARS publishes a first class quarterly A4, 40 page technical journal called SIGNAL which is full of interesting articles. To see extracts from these publications, click here.
All licenced radio amateurs are most welcome to join our regular Saturday amplitude modulation nets on 3615 KHz beginning at 08:30hrs local time. This is a controlled net which sometimes has up to 20 plus vintage and military equipment stations taking part in order to exchange reports and equipment details. SWL’s are invited to send reports. A list of nets and frequencies regularly used by VMARS members in the UK is shown below.
3615 KHz Saturday AM net 08:30 – 10:30
3615 KHz Wednesday USB net for military equipment 20:00 – 21:00
3615 KHz Friday LSB net 19:30 – 20:30
3615 KHz Regular informal AM net from around 07:30 – 08:30 and throughout the day
3577 KHz Regular Sunday CW net 09:00
5317 KHz Regular AM QSO’s, NoV required
7073 KHz Wednesday LSB 13:30 VMARS Collins 618T special interest group
7143 KHz VMARS AM operating frequency
51.700 MHz VMARS FM operating frequency, also used at rallies and events
70.425 MHz VMARS FM operating frequency, also used at rallies and events
The Worked All Britain Awards Group (W.A.B.) was devised by the late John Morris G3ABG in 1969. This was to promote an interest in Amateur Radio in Britain and to sponsor a series of awards based on the geography of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Since its inception, W.A.B. has grown through the voluntary efforts of many individuals. W.A.B. has many aims and has the motto “To assist others”.
W.A.B. aims to create more activity on the air by British amateurs and in doing so create friendships within the country and overseas. It is true to say that many lasting friendships have arisen through W.A.B. activity.
W.A.B. aims to improve and expand geographical knowledge of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Isles. Indeed the W.A.B. programme has encouraged many people to travel to the more remote parts of the country. At the same time it has encouraged overseas interest and encouraged many people to visit Britain and have hospitality extended to them by British amateurs.
W.A.B. aims to help less fortunate amateurs and provides, when funds allow, donations to organisations like the Radio Amateur Invalid & Blind Club, QTI etc.
Another aim is to encourage all radio amateur licencees and short wave listeners to improve their operating techniques. Mobile and expedition activity is given encouragement. W.A.B. has done much to bring about an upsurge in mobile activity on the LF bands and has increased mobile activity on the VHF and higher bands. It is the intention of W.A.B. to assist in the preservation of existing frequency allocations against commercial interests.
W.A.B. has no allegiance to any social, political or religious organisation, and is fully independent of any other amateur radio group, although it is an affiliated member of the RSGB.