OT:- Any Hams?

Yes

DieSea

Yoh.

A what?

Dunno, he wants some bacon?

Yes but not much help to you down in ZL land ( New Zealand )

ZL2MAX

Good luck

Lee_D wrote:

OK who wanted to know about foundation courses for "Hams" and toughly in what area of the U.K

DieSea

oops sorry should read roughly

I'm sure I'll get shouted at

DieSea

I'll be popping along to a Club in Crewe Thursday to see how it all goes together, then looking to do a weekend course + exam when they do one next. I like the idea of being able to throw up a wire and talk to home when we go off touring in the caravan. I also like the idea of Echolink, although it is cheating somewhat :-) , for those not in the know, basically using a Ham set to talk via the internet to another set in another country :-) Cunning!

Lee D

They're starting a foundation course in Bolton shortly

The bolton wireless club meet just off the M61 on a monday

Just a couple of minuites away from the motor way

Dont set your heart on Echolink , many users dont like rf connections

and link providers dont allways like computor connections

Also remember that the foundation licence is only usable in the UK

You have to get the intermediate for reciprecal licences

Good Luck

DieSea

Yeah, no problem. I think I need the Full licence for abroad which is where I'll probably use it most. Like up a mountain to try and reach home or further afield. :-)

Lee D

The intermediate licence will get you a reciprocal

Shout if you want any help

DieSea

Yes, full licence here

Jon

A what or a what? 'twas Class A (pass C&G and 12wpm morse) or Class B (pass the C&G) when I got mine in the big boom of licences years ago, I missed getting a G8 so I'm a G6.

I've totally lost track of the calls and licences since then, got a load of paperwork last renewal but didn't really pay that much attention to it. It's free for life now with no annual renewal isn't it?

">> Yeah, no problem. I think I need the Full licence for abroad which is where I'll

CEPT operation abroad (that is operation is Europe and some other countries such as the USA without the need to apply for a reciprocal licence) is only possible with a Full licence.

To operate otherwise requires you to apply to the country that you are visiting for a Reciprocal licence. Which class of licence is required depends on the country that you are visiting, some will only accept Full UK licences, others have, allegedly, accepted Foundation. You need to check with the countries that you intend to visit.

Regards Jeff

The morse test has been dropped hasn't it ?

Steve

Yes, theres an element of it but more of an appreciation of morse with a message repeated until you get it right.

Lee D

Sort of

Its now a morse assessment that even a monkey couldn't fail

There's no such animal as class "A" and class "B" nowadays

Much to the disgust of the "OLD" class a'S

Be careful the class a'S stomp and complain but at the end of the day they all took the same City and Guilds

Now Red Rag and Bull comes to mind

;-))

DieSea

Yes, well, they seem to be the ham world equivalent of rivet counters in the landy fraternity.

The point of Radio amateurs has changed in the last few years - anyone can talk anywhere in the world for bugger all by picking up a phone. AFAIK The "sexy" stuff is now TCP/IP over relays and amateur satellites.

Steve