Amateur Radio

What is Amateur Radio?

       Amater Radio,  or "Ham Radio",  as some people call it,  is a technical hobby involving communicating with like minded people,  using radio.

    There are many aspects of the hobby,  which is one of its appeals.   It attracts those who want to talk to interesting people all over the world,  those who want to investigate how radio waves manage to travel around the world,  those who get their satisfaction out of constructing equipment and use the hobby to test it out.   There are those who use their PCs to enhance the techniques of amateur radio.   Many people enjoy transmitting pictures across town,  or even around the world.

     The amateur can transmit on any number of frequencies which are agreed world-wide.   These frequencies,  or 'bands',  range from some recently allocated ones in the very low frequency range,  or long wave,  to ultra high frequencies,  or microwaves.   These different frequency allocations allow plenty of scope for experiments and delving into unknown techniques.

    Before an amateur can legally transmit he,  or she,  must pass a test and be granted a licence.   All licences have a unique call-sign.   These call-signs identify the amateur and indicate which country he is located in.

    Many amateurs exchange cards,  known as  QSL cards,  after they have made contact using radio.   These cards serve to show that the contact actually took place.   In order to show how well an amateur can contact other people there are various awards that can be claimed.   These are given by National Societies when the required number of QSL cards can be produced.

    Another way in which amateurs can show how well they are able to make contacts is through contests.   These can be international events,  or national events,  depending,  largely,  on what bands are used.

    For more details of what Amateur Radio is,  and what amateurs get up to, why not come along to the Newquay Amateur Radio Club.

   Formed in 1973 the club today has approximately 20 active members (but will always welcome more).

   The club regularly meets every other THURSDAY at the TREVIGLAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Newquay at 7.30pm (come and see us for the evening even if you are on holiday).

   The club provides active support to anyone wishing to become licensed. Treviglas is a registered RSGB exam centre and can offer a 3-tier license examination (foundation/intermediate/full). The club owns a variety of radio and aerial equipment and, once qualified, will make this available to members as required.

   The club takes an active interest in contests and has both won and been runner-up in a number of contests in recent years.