The August 2014 RadCom contains an interesting editorial from the RSGB’s Chairman, Graham Murchie G4FSG. It sees a return to the subject of “How do we attract more young people into the hobby”. The RSGB is suggesting action in three areas to try to attract younger people to take up amateur radio… how do you feel about the following?
1. Construction for Foundation
It’s not until Intermediate that amateurs can design and build transceivers. Would an NoV to allow Foundation licence holders to do some limited design and construction, re-introducing the thrill of making something, not just using “black boxes”?
2. Junior Licence
The number of under 25s sitting Foundation has halved in the last decade. Would a “Junior” licence (low power 2m/70cm only) give youngsters the chance to try the hobby with a £30 handheld before diving into Foundation?
3. Better Demonstrations
Should we change the way we show the hobby to the public? What would capture the hearts and minds of today’s smartphone generation? The RSGB is after ideas.
Our Thoughts
This is a subject that’s been discussed on these pages before, and on our Monday Night Net. In a piece written for us ‘Youngster Awareness‘ by Rob M0KCP some months back, Rob summed up the problem thus:
“We have a young generation that are unlikely to be overly excited about radio communication. They already have that by phone, internet etc. And with ‘face time’ giving video calling, a crackly conversation with a random person is unlikely to have widespread appeal. BUT… What remains is the technical hobby, the opportunity for experimentation, the chance to help others, radio sport and the global community of amateurs what we work with. Unless we see another 80s style CB craze, our hobby will always appeal to this limited community of young techies, engineers and experimenters.”
So, let’s look at the RSGB’s proposals in more detail:
1. Construction for Foundation
I’ve never heard of anyone saying “I’d love to get into amateur radio, but I won’t, as I can’t build my own transmitter from day one”. As I understand it, an M6 is allowed to do all sorts of construction projects and kits, including building receivers, and compliant transceiver kits – That does give them quite a lot of scope!
Although I have no objection to construction being allowed (NoV or otherwise) at Foundation level, I can’t see that it would have any impact on uptake in the hobby. It would be great to bring in construction earlier, and clubs could help through construction events or hands-on training sessions for those keen to build something – that may help licence progression and the spirit of experimentation, but I doubt it’d get new people into the hobby.
2. Junior licence
In a few emails I’ve been exchanging on this subject, “Junior” isn’t going to work as a name, but could the concept?
If it’s implemented well, this could be a good way of getting new and younger people into the hobby. I believe that if this is to be taken seriously, the key is getting the requirements and the limitations right – enough access to get people interested, without doing away with the need for a more formal introduction such as the current Foundation courses.
Although many see Foundation as pretty basic, could there be scope for a ‘Foundation-Lite’? Stripping out electrical circuits, formulas, transmitter/receiver block diagrams, HF propagation and the CW practical could halve the complexity of Foundation, without removing the key Operating Procedures / Licensing Rules material. Controversial, I know, but if done right, could this encourage youngsters to give it a go?
4. Demonstrating amateur radio
This is something that, in general, amateurs are very bad at. Operating at locations without much public footfall and/or in a way that doesn’t encourage people to ask questions does us no favours.
Two of the Essex Ham team recently held a “what is amateur radio” event at a village fete in Chelmsford – We weren’t sitting there operating SSB or CW… Instead we were talking to the public, and letting them see and hear things. Done right and at good locations, could that kind of approach do a better job of raising the profile of the hobby than a headphones-on, rack-em-up museum Special Event Station? There’s a need for both types of event, of course, but do we focus too much on setting up stations to collect a log full of QSOs to the detriment of public awareness?
At an event in Galleywood Common recently, we had a young lady interested in what we were up to. Rather than suggesting she watched quietly, we got her onto a mic to send a guest message to a Special Event Station in Harlow. She got her first proper taste of amateur radio and will hopefully be on the next Foundation.
Clubs and groups need to look at where the people are, and how to get the hobby in front of them – fetes, libraries, family fun days. When we’re there, putting on a station and racking up QSOs is not the right thing to be demonstrating – Interactive or visual is what it’s all about.
In Summary
‘Demonstration’ and ‘awareness’ are the answers as far as I’m concerned… whether that’s in the public eye, or using social media, apps or other online activities – we need to let more people see what it’s all about, and make it easy for them to find out more.
With many of today’s youngsters glued to their smartphones and tablets, we’ve recently released a 2 minute “what is amateur radio” video to compliment our 4 and 6 minute versions (Thanks to Murray G6JYB for suggesting that 4 minutes may be too much for today’s short attention span). Our introduction videos are up on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and Dailymotion – hopefully where the kids are. We’d love to see this shared – so please forward the link http://youtu.be/6UFP158SJbY
So, what are your thoughts on the RSGB’s proposals for attracting ‘da yoof’? Comment in the Essex Ham forum, or add a comment below…
Pete M0PSX
In a way this will sound picky but essex ham is one of these clicky groups that can be a problem. Unless your in the deep essex doing tons of really fancy radio stuff you do not exist. The monday night net is more a peeing up the wall contest where essex finest golden boys get to brag.
Sorry but i will not beat around the bush for this one ““what is amateur radio” video (Thanks to Murray G6JYB for suggesting that 4 minutes is too much for today’s short attention span).” now that is a attitude that really can put people off. Even young people. I work in sales and people want to see the cool part of the product not always the technical
Hi Mitchell,
Really sorry to hear you feel that way about Essex Ham.
I’d love to hear your views on how we can make it better. Would you be interested in helping out with some articles, blog posts, or forum discussions? How about some write-ups of events you’ve been to, or equipment you use? Perhaps your local club has something to contribute? Would love to hear your thoughts.
As for the Monday Night Net – It’s the people who join the net who decide what we talk about. This week, we had 22, with lots of new visitors and plenty of new licensees. If there’s something you’d like to talk about – join. If you know of others you’d like to join, tell them. Everyone gets an equal turn, attendees set the agenda and all are welcome.
As for the video that I’m suggesting people share, we have a 6 minute, 4 minute and now a 2 minute version. I agree I could have worded this better. Feel free to share whichever one you want – or let us know if there’s a better one out there.
Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions on how we can improve!
Also interested in your thoughts in the post topic – how can we attract new people, esp under 25s, to the hobby.
Pete M0PSX
Pete
In a way one of the changes i would say is sometimes we need to try and help show that ham radio is not all old people. Maybe we need a meet your fellow hams. So try and get people from all over essex to post a picture and the why they got in to ham radio. Maybe age at licence.
Equipment maybe we need to highlight the fact that you can get started in the hobby cheap.
Kids do not respond to videos to well. Cartoons and comic strips could be a intreasting way to show how ham radio works.
Monday night net from my experence people bring some different things to it but it can feel a bit right moving on. Yet others it feels like they are more important.
Over all i think we need to start a Essex ham youth group so target a part of the site to younger members and encoragement of joining. Make things less formal and use simple words but not treating them badly
table break downs of the licence types and why progression is healthy
Thanks for the comments Mitchell – Some good ideas there. Let’s see what we can do…
Showing younger people: That was the primary reason for using Kelly, a girl in her mid-20s in our videos…
Photos and profiles: We have that already – In the Essex Ham Members Directory – I note that you’ve not filled out yours yet, so you may not have discovered it.
Cartoons and videos: Interesting idea. I don’t think I’ve heard that suggestion before. Definitely one to suggest to the RSGB – Use the Have Your Say link in the story above… I’d be interested to know how they respond.
Monday Night Net: Sometimes it comes down to the people we have on the net, and the topics. You’re correct that those who come up with an interesting or controversial topic tend to get more responses from other attendees. Also, those who ask questions or need help often get attention from those more experienced. Sometime though, people don’t have a lot to say, but still want to be part of the conversation – Of course, everyone is welcome, but some can be more chatty than others. Sometimes people do raise topics, and no-one “bites”, which can be a shame, but sometimes that’s how it goes, and it comes down to who’s on the net and what else is being discussed. Perhaps if you hear this happening, dive in and get chatting with someone who you feel the rest of the attendees are not answering?
Youth content: The idea of some extra youth content is a great one. I’ve put together loads of pages trying to sell the hobby to the under 25s, but it might be that I’m just too old to do a good job of that. Fancy putting a few words together and maybe we can work on something together, or maybe Zoe? A good ideas… let’s see if we can make it happen!
Pete
The idea of allowing this is a joke! Who comes up with this kinda stuff? They are living in the wrong era! If a M6 wants to construct they will I know one that builds and users all kinds stuff and doesn’t see and point on moving up to the 2E0 as he can do what he wants and who’s going to know our stop him? The rest of the M6’s I know don’t know one side of a soldering from the other and don’t want to find out! They can run their 100W Black boxes at full power and who’s going to know or stop them?
The amateur radio licence has been made so easy and open to abuse is a joke, Don’t make matters worse!
Strikes me this is always going to be an uphill struggle. Maybe we should stop beating ourselves up about ‘how to get new people in’ – & just enjoy the hobby. The best way to encourage someone in is to let them see our enthusiasm…
Fully agreed about how to demonstrate & show off the hobby when at public events.
Another viewpoint – I would suggest the hobby is doing pretty well at the moment here… New clubs over the last couple of years all getting very acceptable attendances at meetings & events, & plenty of internet & social media interaction.
There will always be people unhappy with certain things – perhaps it’s in the nature & character of some of us who take up this hobby (me included), but most of us disappear & bounce back again !
My view is that the hobby is in a fairly good state – perhaps just some ‘tweeking’ needed in certain aspects of how we put ourselves over. 2 metres may be nothing like it was, but what about the massive interest in data / PSK, satellites etc.? It’s these newer aspects to the hobby that keep it evolving & will be the way to bring in new people.
Jim 2E0RMI
All valid Jim… Certainly in Essex, things are buzzing… Loads of events reported in Radcom round these parts, and Foundation courses are regular and popular. Maybe nothing to worry Bout, at least here in Essex…
Essex ham member directory. got to be a member to view. One extra door people need to open to view content
Yes, currently the Members Directory is for members. As membership is free and takes about 30 seconds, I didn’t think this was a major barrier. If members think this would be better as ‘open’, that’s do-able. Perhaps others can let me know their thoughts?
Everyone should do their bit to tell friends about amateur radio and encourage friends and their families to try it out. It just not about voice and morse code either! Look at what ham radio teaches you – RF, technical, operating skills, geography… allsorts.
And Mitchell – Where do you get off dissing Essex Ham??? They work hard to push ham radio and have lots of useful information. Rather than having a go at them… tell us what it is that you do to help promote the hobby that’s so much better than what they do?
Hello, my first ever post here so be gentle, I think that aside from trying to get new people involved whether they are older or younger, as both are important, I also think that clubs should try harder at making new people feel welcome, I only hold my foundation licence which I obtained through lefars, This was done at there club over a weekend, the only 2 times I ever went to the club. I had to join for a year but went there did my course and never went back. The only time I heard from then was to say your membership is running out do you want to rejoin, needless to say I never.
What has happened here is that in the 2/3 years since I got my foundation you could count on one hand the contacts that I have made as I do not have the confidence to use my radios. I go to my radio room thinking this time, turn it on listen for a couple of hours then turn it off.
I don’t think lefars did enough to encourage me to go back and I don’t feel as though I can use my radios without the fear of doing something wrong !!
I have my local club in Harlow, Harlow and District Amateur Radio Society which I drive past everyday and think to myself, shall I ?
I then go onto their website and look at the gallery and you see the same dozen or so people doing the same things year in year out, I don’t want to sit in a field !!
I am a member of the RSGB and every month the magazine arrives and every month I spend 2 minutes flicking through it and thinking to myself, there is nothing in here for a newbie what so ever, everything seems so technical and goes over my head, because I am not at the stage in this hobby that it interests me, they need more stuff that would actually help a newbie which you do not get taught, like 2mtr + 70cms repeaters etc and how to actually use them.
Ham Radio needs to loose the clickyness which intimidates new people, it also needs to loose the old man, trousers upto his chin with pipe image that also puts people off (I don’t want to be thought of like this).
Also the ‘I am better than you’ attitude that some people have with ‘M’ licences, you want new people in but then treat them badly when they try, it wont work !!
I would just like to also apologise to anyone who might find this post offensive as that is certainly not my intention, I just wanted to share the views of a newbie that is not an ‘in your face’ outgoing type of person but still enjoys radio.
Hi Ray
The clickyness has been around since I was licensed in 1992 it is part of human nature.
The looking down the nose has not changed either, when I was a g7 I was looked down on for not doing morse then once I had done my morse and got my m0 (they only use m because they ran out of g’s) it was the wrong morse test so I learnt not to listen to others who only wish to critisise.
I hope that you can find some like minded people within range of yourself, Over this way I have found they are a pretty good bunch of people and new people are treated equal to everyone else, my friend Dave m6ilm who has had a license only a few weeks has had nothing but encouragement.
I hope you find your voice soon and I wouldn’t worry about mistakes we are people not robots so mistakes happen.
Hi Ray,
Sorry to hear you’ve not been welcomed… This is certainly not the first time I’ve heard this comment, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
I took my M6 just over 3 years ago, and a sort-of similar experience, but I was lucky that I’d made some good connections with the training team who helped me to get my licence, and I was able to keep in touch and get encouragement from them. I attended a few club nights, but the subject material was way above my league, and so I stayed away.
I found my on-air confidence by chatting to a few of the people I’d met face-to-face, then having mini-nets with them. I found a few new friends on the local repeater, which helped increase my confidence. After a while, I decided to try and run my own net, intended to help new M6s to gain confidence after passing their Foundation, and this let on to the Monday Night Net, which is a friendly mix of first-timers, newcomers and more experienced operators.
If you happen to be in range of the GB3DA repeater, have a listen on 145.725MHz Mondays from 8pm – and if it appeals, feel free to join in… you’d be very welcome!
As for clubs, there are a few in Essex, and from my experience, they all offer different things and serve a different audience. CARS, the club in Chelmsford, have recent started a series of Skills Nights, which are ideal for beginners looking for advice – It’s not a traditional sit-down-and-listen event – but one where you can chat, try a demo and ask questions one-to-one. It’s worth giving some of the other clubs a try, joining in a net, or even chatting with us here on Essex Ham in the forum.
Don’t give up on the hobby – there’s lots of friendly people out there keen to help!
I think the license system we have is sufficient, it’s trying to get the kids interested that is the problem not their capabilitys.
I have seen this post https://www.essexham.co.uk/forum and not sure if anyone has offered to help but this will do more to get young people interested in the hobby than making the exams easier which is pointless if there is no interest.
It is a shame in this hobby that many have an opinion but not many can spare time to help people to improve the hobby.
Hi Richard,
Yes, JOTA is a great way to encourage youngsters into the hobby, and we’ve just added a post about helping out at the Basildon event. There are plenty of JOTA events in Essex this year, so let’s hope a few people give a few hours to support their local JOTA…
A picture tells a thousand words, and athough I thought that the skill night on the 21st was excellent, look at the picture, “whats missing?” I understand that this was also the biggest gathering had so far.. to be honest i don’t think i have the answer, but they only way to get kids involved is to get out to them, and get them away from there normal routine and experiance something different. we drill routines into kids at a very young age and they are hesitant to try new things.. they have to be guidied and shown..i do feel it was a real shame that the RSGB canned the fun bus, this was ideal for school visits (politics aside) how much is Britan pushing science at school now, and this was an ideal platform..
thats my tuppence, and my answer.. i’ll do what i can where i can.. and if asked i’ll try my best to get people the engaged in this wide and various hobby – it’s not all chat on 2m.. there is so much more.. and getting that across is the key. not much of a rallying speach but got it of my chest.. LOL…
Hi Mike,
Yes – all very valid… The skills night seems to attract a younger audience than the more traditional sit-and-listen Powerpoint club meetings, and as you saw, people are encouraged to try things out and ask questions – handy for newbies to the hobby… however, not a lot of youngsters there. I don’t have the answers either, but I agree that it’s all about being visible – if it’s too hard to put on events at schools, then fetes, shows and other activities is an option – and to ensure that what’s being shown is interesting and engaging. Perhaps a few of us keen to try to get some newbies on board should have a sit down and come up with a few ideas and venues…
Ray
I belong to G6UT harlow and district. Pop in have a chat with us. We are not 100% about radio. We are a group that caters to everyone and always make people feel welcome. To us you can have a old call sign and no one will totally give a dam.
I had the same issue with loughton and harlow was much better and made me feel welcome. We are a mix of call signs and the only common interest is radio. What harm you got from popping along and seeing us on a friday night. Heck one of us will even make you a cup of tea.
I tend to be the same with radcom i look though it quickly it goes over my head. I only took it on when it was a pound for the year.
Harlow is a fantastic club and is totally different to all the others. We do not have the click issue and the only thing that brings us together as a club is the fact we are all amataurs. You can be a m6 and the g stations will always chat with you. We not just a sit around talk about how to work some data mode or fancy slide shows.
We’re lucky in Essex in that we have quite a few clubs in the area – some of them very active, and proactive. We’ve also had two new clubs start up recently, bringing coverage to different areas and bringing new things to the mix.
Not all clubs are the same, and it’s worth trying more than one. Many, of course, don’t feel the need to be part of a large club… two or three good mates can have a lot of fun putting together a /P station, or meeting up to help each other. Lots of strong friendships can be formed in this hobby both inside and outside a club.
Try a few clubs out for size, try joining a net, or pop along to a field day – you don’t even have to disclose that you’re licensed, and can sneak away if you don;lt feel it’s for you…
Well pete i might just be taking you up on the offer of working on something. Lets just say a bit of exciting news for young people in essex and the uk will be announced tonight on the net :). If you got my email address feel free to find out before hand
Seems like some good comments made already. What troubles me is a lot of focus seems to be on “kids/junior”. I’m not sure the main efforts should be solely focused on lower ages. I think being realistically we should be targeting Amateur radio at 18-25 age bracket, that is with the view to getting them licensed as a foundation level and getting them onto the airwaves.
Please don’t think I have anything against younger people. I just think there are difficulties involved with aiming at 12 yr olds or even 14yr olds. There are a few factors here.
1. Cost of equipment.
2. Could they attend a club night without a parent, would they enjoy it?
3. Would it be suitable for them to be on the radio unsupervised.
I am 30yrs old, I am not over the hill. I like to think I am somewhat in touch with the people in their 20’s. I have an 8yr old son, and he asks about the radio and I try to get him interested and I think when he is 10-12yrs old I will encourage him to get licensed. I think most people who get into the hobby at this age do due to parents or family in the hobby and going to schools an encouraging them, with most likely their parents not really wanting to put antennas on their roof and buy a radio which costs twice the price of an Xbox One. The advantage for my son is he can use daddy’s radio. I am sure this is the case with others who go the same route.
By all means have programmes which promote amateur radio via things such as the Education STEM projects to plant the seed early in young people. I just think pushing and pushing for young people to take up the hobby with a 2m Chinese handheld isn’t going to keep them in the hobby for a long time. I notice also the cost of second hand radio gear doesn’t seem to be much less than the original prices.
So to summarise target young adults 16-25. Would suggest doing this via partnerships with colleges and universities. Targeting people who are doing AS/A2 Level Electronics, Science, Maths and Computer Science would seem a safe bet. Doing this via things like high altitude ballooning. Packet HF, and Satellite communications. I think the UK Gov and Ofcom can help encourage this by allowing UK satellite’s I am sure I read for example the Funcube had to be launched under AMSAT NL, as legally the UK can’t launch a sat? Also look at opening up /AM operation to allow higher powered payloads. Maybe they could even allow a temp licence like a special event NoV to be issued to allow a sponsoring Full license operator to help a college or uni use different bands or higher powers for their payloads.
The other thing of course is to team up with other youth organisations such as scouting, sea cadets, etc to run courses. I know this happens but maybe a national push might help. It doesn’t even have to be with an aim to get them a foundation license maybe just some practical lessons. Get the RSGB directly involved to proactive encourage clubs to support JOTA.
Sorry for the long message.
Wouldn’t it be good if every school had a access to an SDR radio?
On that note.. There is 78 secondary schools in Essex.. RTL dongle at £10 each.. So a potential to reach out to all the teens in an education programme for a hardware cost of under £1k.??
Dear Mr Turner,
If youngsters are not allowed to get ACTIVE in the hobby. They will find away.Remember, CB on AM/SSB is now legal in the UK. Young people don’t need to know a one end of a soldering iron from another. The power of the internet and in particular GOOGLE and YOUTUBE give so much power to young people of today.As for running 100w on a foundation M6 call sign? You give a new station a license and then say your not competent to run over 10 watts. I have spent 3 days, running 30W competing with stations on 100W + to get an answer across Europe.CB SSB stations get to use 12W PEP. And CB is deregulated!!
I ventured into getting my ticket 30 years ago,and I too was given the cold shoulder from most HAMS i came into contact with. This is one of the most common complaints from NEW people trying to get into the hobby.The image of HAM RADIO has to change for the new blood to enlist. If the IMAGE and WARMTH from OLD established members doesn’t change, then the hobby will become extinct. How many HAM RADIO supply shops can you list. Look at my comment, Image and WARMTH. Then take a good look at the photograph above. The one showing Mr Galleywood and the young lady. Your saying- Yes what a great hobby it is, yes you can send a message. NO, your not competent enough to hold your own mic!! This goes back to the image of the hobby.Also, looking at her age, it would seem that you need to attract youngster that are at least 6-8 years younger than she appears to be.An example of TARGET AGE is 12-14. AT THIS AGE, Air cadets can fly a aircraft (14)Go shooting and do lots more exciting things than being around grumpy old men in little club huts/shacks telling them off because they can’t read circuit diagrams, can’t solder and don’t quite understand propagation, OHMS LAW, ETC ETC ETC. Modern Equipment built by the JAPANESE doesn’t require the above. Even the requirements to know how to wire a plug is no longer needed in this world of molded pre-wired plugs.
I have read more than 1-2 post on this forum. One of them suggests that the HOBBY is aimed at A level students. WHY does the TARGET youngster need to be so technically minded? ANSWER-They don’t. Its people in the HOBBY that dictate that they do.What about Students or school kids that are not academically gifted? Are these children to be excluded from entering the HOBBY.Some of the most inquisitive students may be lower down on the education ladder.Attitudes have to change. Or would my comment about less than gifted children be so true, that it confirms an elitist attitude exists in the HOBBY that is HAM RADIO. Again, I say ATTITUDES have to change.
In this post, I have put the word HOBBY in capital letters. Look up the meaning of the word. Then think about other HOBBIES that youngsters of today get involved with. Sit back and take a long hard look at yourselves. Ask your family and friends to describe how you come across to them. The answers you get may hurt. You may even be offended.
Why not apply to OFCOM to get a proper student licence proposed. This could be issued on the basis of a practical TEST based on OPERATING ETIQUETTE , BASIC STATION SETTING UP,BASIC LICENSE REQUIREMENTS, ETC. No OHMS law, no circuits, no morse, no bull$%^&. Just pure good fun and a gate way to a new hobby.
I have yet to get my TICKET. I AM NOT interested in MORSE. I don’t want to run 100s of WATTS and I talk to people all over the world. My means of doing this is 11M CB SSB operation. When I think the attitudes change in the HAM CLUBS and THE HAM RADIO SOCIETY IN GENERAL, I may return to the fold and get my M6 ticket. UNTIL then I will stay away.
I will add as a foot note. LOTS OF HAM drop down to 11M and will admit to us LOWER LIFE FORMS, that they get a warmer reception and better enjoyment talking to US than on the HAM BANDS. YOU just won,t get any to say that around fellow HAMS. I think, LADIES and GENTS, that says it all.
Good luck in your challenge. Remember, that to solve the problem you have getting NEW BLOOD, it may be better looking in through the door from the outside, instead of being on the inside looking out.!!!
Stuart Graham 26CT4434
Hi Stuart – Thanks for the thought-provoking message and the positive comments. As someone who’s had radio in his blood from his early teens, I fully support encouraging people of all ages to learn more about radio and share their enthusiasm.
I’ve just added a link to the thread about this over on the CharlieTango forum to allow any cross-discussion.
On the subject of the need to hold the mic for those sending a guest message, that’s not the choice of the operator, it’s one of the conditions imposed on us in the Ofcom licence. Amateurs are required to operate the transmission equipment if someone unlicensed is making a guest message. I agree, it can lessen the experience if the person isn’t allowed to hold their own mic.
Another condition is that the operator has to be a Full licence holder – In some cases, it would make sense for a newer (younger?) operator to work with potential amateurs, but again, the licence doesn’t allow this, as mandated by Ofcom.
Anyway – thanks for the comments… keep them coming!
If you’re interested, there’s more discussion of this topic, and comments from some of the posters, over on the Charlie Tango forum – See http://s3.zetaboards.com/copythat/topic/7684085 for more discussion!
Pete
Hi Pete,
In case there are some people thinking I gave them a hard time, on this forum because they were Amateurs. I am letting you know that I passed my foundation exam last night.23/26 Q.I have posted on the Charlie Tango forum under the Amateur radio section. 11M will always hold a special place in my heart because that’s where I discovered my love for all things RADIO.
Thanks again
Stuart
Well done on passing Stuart :) Enjoy, Pete
Hi guys grace 2i0gyl I am 11 years old what I have found is the foundation exam pass mark was upped to 19 from 18(extra question abuse) how does this help youngsters get in?
The 3 different call signs for the foundation, intermediate and full is a disaster everyone new me as mi6ylg but couldn’t get the same ending on intermediate it costs us money too change qsl cards tshirts hats etc could an extra letter not been added to the end of a mi0 call to identify class then lost completely on gaining full it messes up your qrz aswell as rsgb badges.
The 2i0 is totally hard to get across the airwaves it can be mistook for gi0
The cost of books,exams why does the rsgb not do videos to help youngsters thro exam?
The amount of money spent on books exams etc keep in mind if us young get a tablet we can talk to the world cheaper and quicker
I am enjoying ham radio and am determined too get rid of this awfull 2i0 call
73’s