Hello, M0NVQ Robert here
Hello, I am M0NVQ Robert. I am an amateur radio operator, licensed through OFCOM, and my callsigns are M0NVQ, 2E0FIT, and M6RCL.
My QTH is Oldham, Greater Manchester. This is my amateur radio blog.
How I became interested in Amateur Radio
I first became interested in amateur radio in 1972 when I joined Sutton Coldfield Radio Society http://www.g3rsc.co.uk/. Unfortunately, ‘A’ levels followed by university, a rewarding career, and busy family life kept me occupied. However, in 2012, I planned to retire and decided to rekindle my interest in amateur radio. I took my examinations and worked my way up to a full licence – Foundation in November 2012; Intermediate in February 2013; and Advanced in May 2013.
What is amateur radio?
Amateur radio is a popular technical hobby and volunteer public service. As a licensed amateur radio operator, you are permitted to transmit and receive radio signals on frequency bands allocated for use by amateur radio amateurs. Amateur radio operators use these designated bands of radio frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communications. A 1910 announcement by the then HM Postmaster General licensed “experimental wireless”, which still uniquely gives radio amateurs the ability to innovate without commercial or statutory controls even in the closely regulated environment of the 21st century. Amateur radio is the only hobby governed by international treaty.
Amateur radio operators use amateur radio bands for a variety of purposes:
- Contacting people all over the world by radio often leads to developing international friendships,
- Competing in international competitions to test the effectiveness of their equipment and their skill as radio operators,
- Technical experimentation — many of the leaps forward in radio technology have been initiated by radio amateurs,
- Communication through amateur space satellites or with the International Space Station (which carries an amateur radio station),
- Providing communications at times of emergencies and undertaking exercises to maintain that capability.
There is no better way to explore the fascinating world of radio communications than by becoming a radio amateur.
You can also find out more through the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) https://rsgb.org/
