What can I do with amateur radio?
There are many facets of amateur radio. The Harwell club has been involved in most, and over the years the club has often been at the forefront of technology in amateur radio. We currently have members who are interested in bands from low frequency to microwave...
From chatting to friends around the world...
...to the highly competitive world of HF and VHF/UHF contests.
From sending pictures by amateur television...
...to direction finding (DF) hunts for hidden stations.
From constructing simple low-power transmitters...
...to sophisticated repeater logic design.
From communicating via amateur satellites...
...to providing emergency communications for charity or scouting events.
From collecting QSL cards for contacts with countries around the world...
...to linking computers via data communication.
The list is almost endless….
Will I need expensive equipment?
Well, it is possible to spend a lot of many on the latest state-of-the-art equipment. But there are also lower-cost transceivers, and a very large second-hand market, with plenty of bargains available. Our annual Amateur Radio and Computing Rally, held in Didcot every February, is a good place to look. Or you could have a go at building your own transmitter and/or receiver, which brings an additional sense of achievement - there are several good kits available, which is good way to get started.
Keeping informed
All members receive our monthly newsletter called QAV. This includes news and views of interest to members of the club and a diary of forthcoming events. It can also be viewed at the club's web site.
Qualifying for a transmitting licence
The Harwell club can help you to obtain your transmitting licence. A Foundation Licence will get you started after only 10 hours of training. An Intermediate Licence provides greater transmitting privileges after an approved course of practical and theory training. For a Full Licence you will need a pass in the Radio Amateur Examination.
Morse code
A qualification in Morse code is no longer required to obtain a full transmitting licence. However, Morse is still widely used on the amateur bands, as a very efficient means of communication when signals are weak. We can help you to learn Morse code, if you wish.
Meeting with other enthusiasts
The club is a very friendly group of people, who just love talking to each other! Why not come along to our next meeting? Or contact us.
Click here for more about the Harwell Amateur Radio Society and our meetings and activities.