Page 3 of 3

Re: Digital verses analog radio Plymtom

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:06 pm
by Appin
Dear Plymtom,

Radio hams can be extremely techy. However, they cover a huge range. some will bounce signals off the moon to make a contact having to correct for everything from doppler effect to the movement of the earth and moon. Others meet for a regular chat on the air with their friends.

Your point about who would be listening is well made but if you are using amateur radio to contact people you would need to agree times and frequencies in advance.

People have suggested agreeing frequencies etc within this forum. One problem is if you give out your call sign then you effectively identify yourself. I am qualified as an amateur radio operator, with what is called an M0 callsign. If I gave out mu full callsign you could identify me easily.

I have said this before and will keep saying it the exam for amateur radio is now in three parts.

Foundation licence. Read one book , attend a one weekend course and anyone can pass the test. the people who helped me have helped kids as young as 10 to pass and over eighties pass. It is not hard nor very techy.
Intermediate licence

Re: Digital verses analog radio Plymtom

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:11 pm
by Appin
Sorry premature posting there!

Foundation licence. Read one book , attend a one weekend course and anyone can pass the test. the people who helped me have helped kids as young as 10 to pass and over eighties pass. It is not hard nor very techy.
Intermediate licence Read one book, course over 2.5 weekends with alot of practical. Nothing hard , using a soldering iron to make up a radio related kit.
Advanced This is the hard one A level physics plus lots of theory. there is a distance learning course run out of Bath, they are amazingly supportive and get 80% plus through the exam over a 6 month course


I would argue anyone can do foundation and pretty much anyone could manage Intermediate. The jump to Advanced is more about who you can supervise than getting any really special privileges.

Regards

Appin

Re: Digital verses analog radio

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 10:14 pm
by Plymtom
Thanks Appin,
For now I thought I may be best placed to dip my toe in the water by listening, even then not yet finances don't allow it, I take it you don't need a licence to listen in? although reading the books may help.

Re: Digital verses analog radio

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:14 am
by fangfarrier
Hi there.
Appin - could you please give me a link to the Bath course for a full licence?

Cheers

FF

Re: Digital verses analog radio

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:00 am
by Pete_59
If you're in the Essex, (or nearby), then try the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society; http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/training/index.htm#Foundation

Re: Digital verses analog radio Fang Farrier

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:28 am
by Appin
Sorry not been for a while so did not see your query

http://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/he ... urse-news/

Basically if you have Foundation and Intermediate you can contact Steve Hartley directly and he will send details.

Regards

Appin

Re: Digital verses analog radio

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:38 am
by mightymayesy
Thanks guys.
Another consideration not even thought about!
Added to my ever growing preps list.
Why is prepping so expensive lol?
Definitely the best hobby to have. And shooting.
MM
Yorkshire Andy wrote:What he said ^ ;)


One thing to remember with wind up radios they need regular winding or the little rechargeable battery will discharge and die.. and stop accepting a charge...

been there done that killed a couple..

I still prefer my radio to have a dial over a seek button again it lets you dial in (litterally) to a weak signal

i have a radio similar to this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radar%C2%AETEC ... adio&psc=1


ok it uses batteries but AA's are easy to get / keep a stock of at home... if your panicking over the end of civilisation generators and battery banks will only keep a radio on the air for so long......

if you want you can get solar battery chargers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camelion-20003 ... harger+aaa