Interesting. I am a G7. In the 80s l was talking to the world on 11m SSB. Had a great time. I spent many hours on the radio after work. I even had my own QSL cards & had a wall covered with cards from all over the planet. But there was the worry that they could take my gear away if l got caught. And a few guys back then got caught. I had mates with the same concerns. So we went to night school & passed the RAE. That was a difficult exam back then (30yrs ago). First ex was 1hr 30 Min. 2nd exam was 1hr 30 Min. I sat both exams one after the other. Then l had other commitments in life. Now l am retired & have radios sitting in boxes. I have enough gear to set up a station. HF radios FT450at & FT900at + VHF/UHF radios + meters, power supplies ect ect. But it all sits in boxes. I seem to have lost the motivation. Back in the day when l was breaking the law it was much more fun. But now l have an advanced licence & all the gear l could ever want. Hell l can even afford to spend another 10k on radio gear of l wanted. I am in a position that l could only have dreamed of 30yrs ago. But l have lost that motivation.
thank you for the video. Im thinking of doing it, maybe all for the wrong reasons. Been feeling down and depressed, it's something im interested in and will give me something to keep my mind busy. Im not going to hurt anyone by doing it and it will educate me.
I'm currently sat waiting for my first amateur radio to be delivered, Looking forward to learning what it's all about. I've always fancied giving it a go
that great and well said. I am in the USA and pretty much the same. What some hams do in the us is take you in the radio room let you listen and learn and can even let you talk on their radio with him/her right their. what was done for me back in the 1980's . hear in the US a lot of hams started out in CB . and some hams still use CB in the US. It can be a lot of fun but not for everyone. some people just like to listen and that is great as well. I started as a shortwave radio listener also long wave and MW . 73,s NY,USA
I got my tech ticket about the time you put this video up . I agree with what you say . I am working to take my Gen. ticket . I am not a good test taker and the cost of the hobby . Made me drag my feet . I am a motorcycle rider with a ham addiction . Thank you !
Great video Lewis. Could you do another basic video of once you've got your license setting up a VHF/UHF radio ham station. From radio to Power supply to antenna. Thanks mate
I worked in a commercial marine enviroment in the UK and overseas for over 30 years, during which time I used radio's where correct radio procedure was essential. I'm now 70 years of age and wish to get a Foundation Licence, my commercial radio qualifications are no longer valid. However what I do find curious is that the licence is not based on radio procedure which I feel is the most important aspect, but upon the technical aspects. Surely this should be for the full licence? I listen to the 2m band most evenings, albeit very quiet. But the ones I do hear certainly do not adhere to basic radio procedure. There's a guy I hear on 145.150MHz that rambles on for an hour or two without mention of his callsign (if indeed he has one?).
Used to have an aviation radio telephony license and that was all about procedure (safety depended on it). Had to take both an oral and written examination.
Hello all, very much thinking of starting up a hobby as a radio ham. I am retired and in my 70's. I like listening to aircraft and now live near the coast so have an inshore life boat within 3 miles of my house. There is a chap a few miles away from me and he has several aerials outside his house so I am going to see him in a few days after I get rid of Covid19. I have got 2 new transceivers. One is a Homebase UNIDEN Bearcat UBC355CLT. and the other is a hand held ANYTALK. I am just doing some research to see if it is for me, so I might be a regular to Manchester Radio's.
Ex MW 1278kHz, 27mHz AM CB, G8 2m 70cms, 90.4mHz fm, 934mHz uhf CB, now back on 27mHz UK fm CB. Very civilised these days, no swearing, no licence, no digi net stuff, 100% radio. 😊
Very Entertaining videos.Keep 'em coming.Makes me wonder why I never got my license.Passed my RAE exam in May 1974.I guess I lost interest after I was prosecuted for pirating on medium wave.I guess the mystery was in breaking the rules.I dabbled with CB pre legalisation.I was 15 years old when I took my RAE ..I'm now in my 60s but have MS so not able to get around easily .So re taking the exam would not be easy for me.Can it be done on-line similar for those not mobile ? ..and yes I too am a Mancunian. I am very old school and hate mobile phones with a passion ..ditto for social media in all its manifestations...Even though I love Tech .......73s Ringway
Hey Evan, interesting stuff, would love to hear more about the medium wave pirating and the prosecution! Unfortunately the exam can't be done online. Best 73
Hi Evan, an update for you... It's now possible to do your exam online since the Covid-19 situation. The RSGB website has the details on there and no practical anymore. I also would love to hear about your MW pirating as I myself used to be an FM pirate and still have lots of kit in a mate's loft. James
Sounds weird but a lot of new people are mic shy, but there is so much more about the hobby, if your not a big chatter try data or contests or just quick contacts instead of long qso and you soon get use to being on air
my dad was a trucker in 70s, 80s, 90s, he got into CB radio when it became popular over here and I think at that time a licence was needed [?], it was always frowned upon if bad language was used over the air, I suppose that tradition eventually slipped away [as well as respect] so I can only imagine how bad the language is nowadays on CB. A question, the other evening I was scanning with my UV5R 433.000 and at 433.075 I was listening to a couple of Canadian's talking about stuff, how am I picking up transmissions from Canada [could have been USA] here in my ground floor on a stock antenna? If I find something to listen to I like to have a listen in as it can be interesting, I have no desire to transmit, I am happy at the level I am at using my two ways at a motorsport venue where I work which my licence covers me for.
I am trying to decide between CB, HAM, GMRS for use in offroad vehicle to vehicle communications and for emergency use. For that purpose my research has lead me to HAM being the best option so I'm actually looking at a baeofeng on Amazon and thinking about taking my test. My question is whether it is easy to find a relatively untrafficked frequency that we can use for our convoy for vehicle to vehicle communication. One where there won't be some old guy in a basement somewhere busting our chops on etiquette so we can just take advantage of clearer, better long range communications. I've heard of people getting a lot of attitude while they use HAM. I don't really want any part of that. I don't intend to make it a hobby just to use it for these specific purposes and to scan EMS frequencies in the case of a local emergency. We live in a very fire prone area. Does this sound like a good use case of getting a HAM license.
Depends on your range needs. cb will be good for up to 5 miles. pmr44 will be good for up to 2 miles. If you are on high ground the ranges will be vastly increased. You could use 2 meters, if you are willing to pass the test but then you will have to give your call-sign every so often.
try pmr a little antenna and crt space-uhf is small radio but never let size put you off and there a great radio i get 25miles and they get out 25miles mobile to my young bro and his base pmr with his sirio 440 base antenna hi is on a hill but the wrong side of the hill good luck with the hobby
I really love radios. I have a whole bunch of them. And a hackRF and a bunch of SDRs. I only listen because I have no license. I had wondered about getting one, but then what to talk about? when I did listen to HAMs they were talking about their radios. CB is much more normal conversation on a range of topics. The only problem is nobody uses it, at least where I am. Great videos, i've watched a ton of them you did but wondering again about if I should get a license or not.
One thing to bear in mind is that by definition Amateur Radio is a technical hobby, and a means of self education and experimentation. If you aren't technically minded to start, and have no interest or ability to learn, then maybe it's not the hobby for you. If you want to play about with radios without the "Hassle" of getting licensed, as Lewis says, you have CB, or PMR (Personal Mobile Radio). CB isnt dead, far from it, many of my amateur friends/clubmates have a background in CB and still form part of that community.
I am going to move my residence to UK. I am now a licensed radio amateur in Hong Kong but not in UK. I want to bring my amateur radio transceivers to UK before I get a UK license. May I know whether it is legal to possess radio transceivers in UK without transmitting?
Very thoughtful Video, I Thought all radios are the same, but know now that there not , In the past i Had a cheap walkie talkie , 20 channel , and Could here others talking, even the security For the Holyhead Shipping Port But Never Transmitted as I thought any Radio that is Broadcasting for a company would be wrong to interfere with, so switched to another channel, to here kids talking to other kids , and they sung Abba songs, anyway lost that radio , so thought i would love to get another radio so got a UV5R, thinking a radio is just a radio, but now know different as you need a licence to transmit on , but if i got a licence would it be the same? but after seeing a few videos, i see that i can not call another cheap radio, even with a licence, so still learning any tips , should i sell my New UV5r and just get a 20 channel radio??, as i set Frequency at 441.80250, and it just sounds like a constant truck motor, and 152.11000, just clicks on and off but i have not heard any talking???
Hi, just bought a uv 5r, have just signed up for an online course, then hope to do the test. I’ve programmed in the call frequency and a local repeater. Sounds a daft question, but do I just sit and hope something comes up on one of those frequencies or are there other things I can do to try and pick up any transmissions in the uk..many thanks👍
Hi Lewis I started using the CB 11 meters back in 1995 until 2001 when I took the foundation amateur radio licence at Frodsham Beacons and I got 19 out of the 20 questions correctly and I remember it all really good and the course was brilliant and I really enjoyed it a lot and now 23 years later I'm still at the amateur radio and I still use the CB 11 meters every so often and I've been on it for the last 29 years and it's been brilliant fun and I have made some weird and wonderful people as friends and lost a few who are sadly silent keys now but apart from that everything's been absolutely brilliant and I really do love the radio hobby like everybody else out there. Thanks and best 73's for now cheers. Stephen M3SNV 73's.
Here in Kent, the other side of Thames there’s many on Danbury repeater but I’ve not heard anyone on Rochester which is my local. The only people I’ve spoken to locally don’t take it seriously
Daniel Glover thanks I’ve just watched. Often there walking my dog. The only local person I found on was a licensed amateur that when the police were on around 200mhz got banned for a while for abusing them and now had progressed to abusing new people like myself. I just use my baofeng for listening to radio 4 on now
If you have convinced just one person with this then that's been worth it, great advice as usual, so what's Santa bringing Lewis for Xmas then or was that the scooter?
CBs are dead where i live hey no bucket mouthing that means no swear words. What did you say that scanner was i would like to do my Ham Radio License but i live in a low lying area with hills all around what kind of a areal would i need. would love to know more i use to love the CB radio but i wired my CB up to a silver rod and there was nothing not a sausage not as much as a squeak
The bands around my location are so quiet now. When I was first licensed, it was difficult to find a free channel. Now, it’s rare to hear anyone at all on the bands. I know it may not be like that in other parts of the country, but down here in sussex ‘old style’ simplex communication is all but dead. However, a digital hotspot or nearby repeater does open things up a bit, but those returning to the hobby after a break seem to struggle with this concept and lose enthusiasm. Shame really, but ultimately the advances in other forms of communication has stolen much of the appeal of amateur radio away. But, I do still put out a call to the void once in a while in the vain hope that there may be someone listening who in turn may want to reply!
Thanks for this video, I am looking to get in touch with Preston club, previously had not luck to get back from them maybe this time will have more luck
I live in a valley so uhf is pretty pointless. I ised to have decent results with a 1/2 wave on CB up on a pole so the base of the antenna was about 5 metres off the ground. However being in a national park Im sure Id get shot down in flames nowadays for that. What bands might be of interest/use in a posotion lile mine? Im 30 mile from the nearest city.
Alot of us just cannot afford to risk £30 plus on a maybe no point local area deader then a barn owl plus plus better to have one as emergency comms or to listen that's it Plus no end of clubs shut down as no new members joining
I’ve got a UV-5RE radio, don’t use it as I’m looking into getting a license. How many radios does one license hold, also I know people who use them without a license. So I’m just wondering what will I need to expect on the test??? and what % do you need to pass in order to get the license to transmit on it.
I don't have my license and hearing people talking on the local repeaters really doesn't make me want to. I've never heard an interesting conversation tbh. I'd like to get into the technical side though
I'm a listner on all bands for 40 years , sometimes i ask myself how some off these get trough the test, no licence for me, "your signal is x.x , i'm here, 73" All the digital modes , whats this all about , PC talking to PC , no thank you.And its getting worse , everybody i hear is in his/here 70,80,90 s , HF is soon to die .I just do it to have some fun with self build HF.
If you live in a dip, yes it will reduce your vhf / uhf range, but it will not affect too much your hf range. Especially if you chose your frequencies carefully. Signals at lower hf frequencies (and sometimes higher hf frequencies), travel straight up, bounce of layers in upper atmosphere (ionosphere 400 miles up) and sort of rain back down. This will commonly give you a range of 300 miles around your location, with very good signal strength. I myself, live in a deep valley so I tend to use 80mtrs (3.7mhz) and 160mtrs (1.9mhz). These band are nearly always open to the UK and beyond.
@@paulkazjack Yes, I have an end fed half-wave for 160 meters, but because it is low to the ground compared to a wavelength, it does not get out as well as the Marconi-T (vertical), not because it is end fed but because it is just too low. End fed antennas work the best when they are at a half wave length or close to a half wave long. If you end feed other lengths, you might need a more substantial earth point. Horizontal antennas work good when they are 1/8 wave or more above ground. Just use whatever you can fit in your garden, all antennas radiate. The down side to the Marconi T is that it needs many earth radials, I use about 30 radials, each about 25 mtrs long.
I have no issues doing tests BUT I can't handle being around people I don't know so that is my biggest stumbling block. SUBS? I thought it was a requirement that clubs were volunteer based and non-profit?
The subs are usually very small, less than £10 per year. The clubs are volunteer, but they have to pay for the premises in which they meet up in. As for your study, it can be arranged at home or over the internet. However, you will need to meet two people for your exam if you have it at home. Home exam can be for novice and intermediate, but the advanced is done in an `approved` place, unless you have permission for an other place due to your medical disabilities. Most clubs will work around your needs.
the whole system needs to change and will it change no it will not just listen up and down the country its hell if you are a m5 m6 and m7 will it change the rsgb can not or will not stop it the bullying and the abuse .
Ham radio communications from my perspective seems very stilted and not suited to many. I really fancied to sit the exam and get into the hobby for a very long time, but for me there seems to be a personality issue with most who use it. I don’t really understand why there’s a stilted communication between users. Seems they are confined to very little talk per-say and only using their call sign and hide behind signal strength and equipment being used. Why nothing much else? CB radio as mentioned in this video seems to be for yobs and truckers so you say, but there could be a better way? The hobby is dying and I can see why, I personally feel there needs to be a response to the reasons why. Once they come to their senses and the older guard leaves it may then become a force for good and true communication.
about clubs find one that suits you it may not be the closest - clubs are defined as a group of like minded people- I've gone from tee totallers to being talked at like a 6 yearold so still haven't joined one!!! cheers 73
to study all you need is the foundation licence book, everything is in there to complete the exam, however there are a few practical things which require you to complete before being able to take an exam, check out your local amateur radio clubs to see if they offer foundation courses / exams
When are you going to progress on with the exams? If we get too many like you who get a foundation and do not progress, Ofcom will rethink the progressive license process, and go back to a single exam.
@@RingwayManchester for a couple of reasons, first you're presenting radio information to people, so for me that should be done from a place of informed education, a full license showing a top level of that in AR, and second as stated above, when Ofcom agreed to the 3 tier progressive licensing system, the premise was to find a quick and simple way to get people into AR, unlike the more difficult RAE process from C&G earlier, but that candidates would not stop at that first level for ever, after they gain experience at the lower level, this was to springboard them through the next 2 exams. It has been said that Ofcom expect candidates to progress, and if that is not happening, then they will consider withdrawing the part licenses, and reinstate the full license as a single exam again.
Ok I switched off at this should be done from a place of education. You’re the exact type of person that puts new people off radio. You’re talking absolute rubbish, the class of license has nothing to do with someone’s knowledge of radio. I know foundation license holders who run rings round some full license holders. You’re comments are actually laughable!!
@@RingwayManchester OK, dodge the question if you wish, pretend its not relevant, but to counter, I'm not the "type of person that puts new people off radio", quite the opposite I'm actually an exam trainer and get good results, 3 M7, 1 2E and 2 M0 in the past couple of months alone. Seeing you who has completed the bare minimum required, and talking to people (through TH-cam) about taking AR exams, just seems wrong when you've such little experience of the process.
I’m not dodging any question, I’ll do the 2E0 when I want to, it’s not a priority to me. And as for the video, I’m talking people through what they might benefit from doing BEFORE going to do the exam. You may deem it wrong but you have no idea about my background in radio, the exam process or anything. As a matter of fact I have a very good friend who founded a club that does courses, I have 2 other good friends who train people and do the exams. I know quite a lot about the whole process and if I had any great desire to do my 2E0 then I could do it straight away.
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Interesting.
I am a G7. In the 80s l was talking to the world on 11m SSB. Had a great time. I spent many hours on the radio after work. I even had my own QSL cards & had a wall covered with cards from all over the planet.
But there was the worry that they could take my gear away if l got caught. And a few guys back then got caught.
I had mates with the same concerns.
So we went to night school & passed the RAE. That was a difficult exam back then (30yrs ago).
First ex was 1hr 30 Min. 2nd exam was 1hr 30 Min. I sat both exams one after the other.
Then l had other commitments in life.
Now l am retired & have radios sitting in boxes. I have enough gear to set up a station. HF radios FT450at & FT900at + VHF/UHF radios + meters, power supplies ect ect.
But it all sits in boxes. I seem to have lost the motivation.
Back in the day when l was breaking the law it was much more fun. But now l have an advanced licence & all the gear l could ever want. Hell l can even afford to spend another 10k on radio gear of l wanted. I am in a position that l could only have dreamed of 30yrs ago.
But l have lost that motivation.
thank you for the video. Im thinking of doing it, maybe all for the wrong reasons. Been feeling down and depressed, it's something im interested in and will give me something to keep my mind busy. Im not going to hurt anyone by doing it and it will educate me.
I'm currently sat waiting for my first amateur radio to be delivered, Looking forward to learning what it's all about. I've always fancied giving it a go
Hello I was wondering what radio you have got I’m looking for a good radio
@@hodiches7783 baofeng UV5R is a good starter radio but remember to TH-cam the ins and outs and don’t press that PTT until you get your license
Thanks for the advice. I have attended my local club in Derby, I now have a course date in Jan. Thanks for posting.
Good luck Kev, let me know how you get on!
that great and well said. I am in the USA and pretty much the same. What some hams do in the us is take you in the radio room let you listen and learn and can even let you talk on their radio with him/her right their. what was done for me back in the 1980's . hear in the US a lot of hams started out in CB . and some hams still use CB in the US. It can be a lot of fun but not for everyone. some people just like to listen and that is great as well. I started as a shortwave radio listener also long wave and MW . 73,s NY,USA
I got my tech ticket about the time you put this video up . I agree with what you say . I am working to take my Gen. ticket . I am not a good test taker and the cost of the hobby . Made me drag my feet . I am a motorcycle rider with a ham addiction . Thank you !
Congrats!!
Great video Lewis. Could you do another basic video of once you've got your license setting up a VHF/UHF radio ham station. From radio to Power supply to antenna. Thanks mate
Thank you, exactly the reason I watched this video. Very helpful.
Thanks for the vid. I am now going to do my exam.
hey, did you pass?
@@Beanie1984 yes)
@@chrissnabel4064 congrats, sorry im 2 years late but you know lol
Great video I have had my license since 2012 Technician, 2013 both General and Extra. Pretty well thought out good job. 73 KB8RMB. Bob Burgoon
I worked in a commercial marine enviroment in the UK and overseas for over 30 years, during which time I used radio's where correct radio procedure was essential. I'm now 70 years of age and wish to get a Foundation Licence, my commercial radio qualifications are no longer valid.
However what I do find curious is that the licence is not based on radio procedure which I feel is the most important aspect, but upon the technical aspects. Surely this should be for the full licence?
I listen to the 2m band most evenings, albeit very quiet. But the ones I do hear certainly do not adhere to basic radio procedure. There's a guy I hear on 145.150MHz that rambles on for an hour or two without mention of his callsign (if indeed he has one?).
Used to have an aviation radio telephony license and that was all about procedure (safety depended on it). Had to take both an oral and written examination.
Hello all, very much thinking of starting up a hobby as a radio ham. I am retired and in my 70's. I like listening to aircraft and now live near the coast so have an inshore life boat within 3 miles of my house. There is a chap a few miles away from me and he has several aerials outside his house so I am going to see him in a few days after I get rid of Covid19. I have got 2 new transceivers. One is a Homebase UNIDEN Bearcat UBC355CLT. and the other is a hand held ANYTALK. I am just doing some research to see if it is for me, so I might be a regular to Manchester Radio's.
Ex MW 1278kHz, 27mHz AM CB, G8 2m 70cms, 90.4mHz fm, 934mHz uhf CB, now back on 27mHz UK fm CB. Very civilised these days, no swearing, no licence, no digi net stuff, 100% radio. 😊
Very Entertaining videos.Keep 'em coming.Makes me wonder why I never got my
license.Passed my RAE exam in May 1974.I guess I lost interest after I
was prosecuted for pirating on medium wave.I guess the mystery was in breaking the rules.I dabbled with CB pre legalisation.I was 15 years old when I took my RAE ..I'm now in my 60s but have MS so not able to get around easily .So re taking the exam would not be easy for me.Can it be done on-line similar for those not mobile ?
..and yes I too am a Mancunian.
I am very old school and hate mobile phones with a passion ..ditto for social media in all its manifestations...Even though I love Tech .......73s Ringway
Hey Evan, interesting stuff, would love to hear more about the medium wave pirating and the prosecution! Unfortunately the exam can't be done online. Best 73
Hi Evan, an update for you...
It's now possible to do your exam online since the Covid-19 situation.
The RSGB website has the details on there and no practical anymore.
I also would love to hear about your MW pirating as I myself used to be an FM pirate and still have lots of kit in a mate's loft.
James
Interesting points for those who may be thinking about getting into the hobby. Cheers, 73
You right is a hobby!
Sounds weird but a lot of new people are mic shy, but there is so much more about the hobby, if your not a big chatter try data or contests or just quick contacts instead of long qso and you soon get use to being on air
Yeah you're absolutely right Glynn, lots are mic shy.
I’m quite mic shy I’ll be honest. I’m getting used to contacts on pmr446 and on the pmr net and everything.
my dad was a trucker in 70s, 80s, 90s, he got into CB radio when it became popular over here and I think at that time a licence was needed [?], it was always frowned upon if bad language was used over the air, I suppose that tradition eventually slipped away [as well as respect] so I can only imagine how bad the language is nowadays on CB.
A question, the other evening I was scanning with my UV5R 433.000 and at 433.075 I was listening to a couple of Canadian's talking about stuff, how am I picking up transmissions from Canada [could have been USA] here in my ground floor on a stock antenna?
If I find something to listen to I like to have a listen in as it can be interesting, I have no desire to transmit, I am happy at the level I am at using my two ways at a motorsport venue where I work which my licence covers me for.
You're picking up an internet linked repeater :)
Just discovered this channel and I subscribed just because I live in Manchester near old ringway airport!😉😁
I am trying to decide between CB, HAM, GMRS for use in offroad vehicle to vehicle communications and for emergency use. For that purpose my research has lead me to HAM being the best option so I'm actually looking at a baeofeng on Amazon and thinking about taking my test. My question is whether it is easy to find a relatively untrafficked frequency that we can use for our convoy for vehicle to vehicle communication. One where there won't be some old guy in a basement somewhere busting our chops on etiquette so we can just take advantage of clearer, better long range communications. I've heard of people getting a lot of attitude while they use HAM. I don't really want any part of that. I don't intend to make it a hobby just to use it for these specific purposes and to scan EMS frequencies in the case of a local emergency. We live in a very fire prone area. Does this sound like a good use case of getting a HAM license.
Depends on your range needs. cb will be good for up to 5 miles. pmr44 will be good for up to 2 miles. If you are on high ground the ranges will be vastly increased. You could use 2 meters, if you are willing to pass the test but then you will have to give your call-sign every so often.
try pmr a little antenna and crt space-uhf is small radio but never let size put you off and there a great radio i get 25miles and they get out 25miles mobile to my young bro and his base pmr with his sirio 440 base antenna hi is on a hill but the wrong side of the hill good luck with the hobby
I really love radios. I have a whole bunch of them. And a hackRF and a bunch of SDRs. I only listen because I have no license. I had wondered about getting one, but then what to talk about? when I did listen to HAMs they were talking about their radios. CB is much more normal conversation on a range of topics. The only problem is nobody uses it, at least where I am. Great videos, i've watched a ton of them you did but wondering again about if I should get a license or not.
What a fantastic video for the new guy,im just starting out seems to be a massive minefield in learning
Just got my Tech license and now studying for my General.
One thing to bear in mind is that by definition Amateur Radio is a technical hobby, and a means of self education and experimentation. If you aren't technically minded to start, and have no interest or ability to learn, then maybe it's not the hobby for you. If you want to play about with radios without the "Hassle" of getting licensed, as Lewis says, you have CB, or PMR (Personal Mobile Radio). CB isnt dead, far from it, many of my amateur friends/clubmates have a background in CB and still form part of that community.
I still using ham radio on simplex only not license yet
I am going to move my residence to UK. I am now a licensed radio amateur in Hong Kong but not in UK. I want to bring my amateur radio transceivers to UK before I get a UK license. May I know whether it is legal to possess radio transceivers in UK without transmitting?
Above all, it can be fun.
What about the 70cm repeaters tho? Are they better regulated over there?
Very thoughtful Video, I Thought all radios are the same, but know now that there not , In the past i Had a cheap walkie talkie , 20 channel , and Could here others talking, even the security For the Holyhead Shipping Port But Never Transmitted as I thought any Radio that is Broadcasting for a company would be wrong to interfere with, so switched to another channel, to here kids talking to other kids , and they sung Abba songs, anyway lost that radio , so thought i would love to get another radio so got a UV5R, thinking a radio is just a radio, but now know different as you need a licence to transmit on , but if i got a licence would it be the same? but after seeing a few videos, i see that i can not call another cheap radio, even with a licence, so still learning any tips , should i sell my New UV5r and just get a 20 channel radio??, as i set Frequency at 441.80250, and it just sounds like a constant truck motor, and 152.11000, just clicks on and off but i have not heard any talking???
Hi, just bought a uv 5r, have just signed up for an online course, then hope to do the test. I’ve programmed in the call frequency and a local repeater. Sounds a daft question, but do I just sit and hope something comes up on one of those frequencies or are there other things I can do to try and pick up any transmissions in the uk..many thanks👍
Hi Lewis I started using the CB 11 meters back in 1995 until 2001 when I took the foundation amateur radio licence at Frodsham Beacons and I got 19 out of the 20 questions correctly and I remember it all really good and the course was brilliant and I really enjoyed it a lot and now 23 years later I'm still at the amateur radio and I still use the CB 11 meters every so often and I've been on it for the last 29 years and it's been brilliant fun and I have made some weird and wonderful people as friends and lost a few who are sadly silent keys now but apart from that everything's been absolutely brilliant and I really do love the radio hobby like everybody else out there. Thanks and best 73's for now cheers. Stephen M3SNV 73's.
Great insights thank you
Here in Kent, the other side of Thames there’s many on Danbury repeater but I’ve not heard anyone on Rochester which is my local. The only people I’ve spoken to locally don’t take it seriously
Daniel Glover thanks I’ve just watched. Often there walking my dog. The only local person I found on was a licensed amateur that when the police were on around 200mhz got banned for a while for abusing them and now had progressed to abusing new people like myself. I just use my baofeng for listening to radio 4 on now
Good sound advice. MW3FTY.
Cheers mate!
If you have convinced just one person with this then that's been worth it, great advice as usual, so what's Santa bringing Lewis for Xmas then or was that the scooter?
Cheers mate! The scooter was a present for myself haha. Christmas wise I’m not sure! What about you?
What's a good radio to buy? Wide range of bands?
For receive or transmit?
Both if there is such a thing. Receive on "Ham frequencies" and transmit on "CB/free frequencies"
CBs are dead where i live hey no bucket mouthing that means no swear words. What did you say that scanner was i would like to do my Ham Radio License but i live in a low lying area with hills all around what kind of a areal would i need. would love to know more i use to love the CB radio but i wired my CB up to a silver rod and there was nothing not a sausage not as much as a squeak
Great video Lewis.
what you say makes sense, thanks and warm regards mate, 73's Lee.
Cheers Lee! Hope you're good mate
thanks once again,another good video
Yep foundation seems easy but full not so much.
Good to know
Great video thanks man
Thanks Terence!
Could you explain what the different license are and how much one can do with the Foundation intermediate would be grateful if you could
Great video Lewis M0XMX
the license is in other countrys different,in the uk you have 3 lincenses in the netherlands whe have only 2 the novice on and the full license
Great stuff
The bands around my location are so quiet now. When I was first licensed, it was difficult to find a free channel. Now, it’s rare to hear anyone at all on the bands. I know it may not be like that in other parts of the country, but down here in sussex ‘old style’ simplex communication is all but dead. However, a digital hotspot or nearby repeater does open things up a bit, but those returning to the hobby after a break seem to struggle with this concept and lose enthusiasm. Shame really, but ultimately the advances in other forms of communication has stolen much of the appeal of amateur radio away. But, I do still put out a call to the void once in a while in the vain hope that there may be someone listening who in turn may want to reply!
Thanks for this video, I am looking to get in touch with Preston club, previously had not luck to get back from them maybe this time will have more luck
I live in a valley so uhf is pretty pointless. I ised to have decent results with a 1/2 wave on CB up on a pole so the base of the antenna was about 5 metres off the ground. However being in a national park Im sure Id get shot down in flames nowadays for that. What bands might be of interest/use in a posotion lile mine? Im 30 mile from the nearest city.
Alot of us just cannot afford to risk £30 plus on a maybe no point local area deader then a barn owl plus plus better to have one as emergency comms or to listen that's it
Plus no end of clubs shut down as no new members joining
I’ve got a UV-5RE radio, don’t use it as I’m looking into getting a license. How many radios does one license hold, also I know people who use them without a license. So I’m just wondering what will I need to expect on the test??? and what % do you need to pass in order to get the license to transmit on it.
5:20 when you listen in on the Dutch national repeater 🤣
hahaha
got a cobra 148 dtl dx i from birmingham i what do my ham radio license trying found a club near me no look
I don't have my license and hearing people talking on the local repeaters really doesn't make me want to. I've never heard an interesting conversation tbh. I'd like to get into the technical side though
Ia there any age limit for registering ham radio lisence sir?
Do you need a license just to listen to the ham radio? I don't want to talk or contact anyone. Thanks
No license needed to listen.
Buy a xhdata d-808 scanner £65
I'm a listner on all bands for 40 years , sometimes i ask myself how some off these get trough the test, no licence for me, "your signal is x.x , i'm here, 73"
All the digital modes , whats this all about , PC talking to PC , no thank you.And its getting worse , everybody i hear is in his/here 70,80,90 s , HF is soon to die .I just do it to have some fun with self build HF.
Hi, I am housebound I suffer with anxiety and agoraphobia, is there any quick access for me to get a ham radio license?
Hey Andrew yes mate contact your local club. The course can be sat online.
Sound like we did the course and exams and the same time and did all 3 exams
Hi do you know if the UV5R will do dPMR. Ive tryed to key in the channel but it dosnt like it and changes it to a vhf channel.
It won’t because the 5r doesn’t cover the frequency step required for dpmr. Also dpmr is digital so not for analogue radios
I had a license in the 70s, it lapsed and I was homeless, I realised morse is no longer integral ,i need help.
Magneto ?
You live in a dip or behind any hills your gonna struggle with any type of radio. Its all about line of sight.
If you live in a dip, yes it will reduce your vhf / uhf range, but it will not affect too much your hf range. Especially if you chose your frequencies carefully. Signals at lower hf frequencies (and sometimes higher hf frequencies), travel straight up, bounce of layers in upper atmosphere (ionosphere 400 miles up) and sort of rain back down. This will commonly give you a range of 300 miles around your location, with very good signal strength. I myself, live in a deep valley so I tend to use 80mtrs (3.7mhz) and 160mtrs (1.9mhz). These band are nearly always open to the UK and beyond.
@@TheTemporalAnomaly Are you using end fed antenna?
@@paulkazjack Yes, I have an end fed half-wave for 160 meters, but because it is low to the ground compared to a wavelength, it does not get out as well as the Marconi-T (vertical), not because it is end fed but because it is just too low. End fed antennas work the best when they are at a half wave length or close to a half wave long. If you end feed other lengths, you might need a more substantial earth point. Horizontal antennas work good when they are 1/8 wave or more above ground. Just use whatever you can fit in your garden, all antennas radiate. The down side to the Marconi T is that it needs many earth radials, I use about 30 radials, each about 25 mtrs long.
@@TheTemporalAnomaly thanks man, some good info here.
I have no issues doing tests BUT I can't handle being around people I don't know so that is my biggest stumbling block.
SUBS? I thought it was a requirement that clubs were volunteer based and non-profit?
The subs are usually very small, less than £10 per year. The clubs are volunteer, but they have to pay for the premises in which they meet up in. As for your study, it can be arranged at home or over the internet. However, you will need to meet two people for your exam if you have it at home. Home exam can be for novice and intermediate, but the advanced is done in an `approved` place, unless you have permission for an other place due to your medical disabilities. Most clubs will work around your needs.
Exams are online under covid, I'm going to do mine now, I suggest you consider doing it now too while you can do it remotely from home
@@DJunclepaul2nd Any idea where I can sign up?
the whole system needs to change and will it change no it will not just listen up and down the country its hell if you are a m5 m6 and m7 will it change the rsgb can not or will not stop it the bullying and the abuse .
why are people who have radio licences are called Hammies or ham radio ?
Rules are meant to be broken
Ham radio communications from my perspective seems very stilted and not suited to many. I really fancied to sit the exam and get into the hobby for a very long time, but for me there seems to be a personality issue with most who use it.
I don’t really understand why there’s a stilted communication between users. Seems they are confined to very little talk per-say and only using their call sign and hide behind signal strength and equipment being used.
Why nothing much else? CB radio as mentioned in this video seems to be for yobs and truckers so you say, but there could be a better way?
The hobby is dying and I can see why, I personally feel there needs to be a response to the reasons why. Once they come to their senses and the older guard leaves it may then become a force for good and true communication.
about clubs find one that suits you it may not be the closest - clubs are defined as a group of like minded people- I've gone from tee totallers to being talked at like a 6 yearold so still haven't joined one!!!
cheers 73
I'm interested in joining the hobby
Q can you study on line for the test & then go & take exam ,use 11m on usb all the time but the straight 40 is bad & AM dead
to study all you need is the foundation licence book, everything is in there to complete the exam, however there are a few practical things which require you to complete before being able to take an exam, check out your local amateur radio clubs to see if they offer foundation courses / exams
Get some sandals and grow a beard deffo pass
If u have no license don't transmit except in a genuine emergency or in the presence of a fully license ham operator
When are you going to progress on with the exams? If we get too many like you who get a foundation and do not progress, Ofcom will rethink the progressive license process, and go back to a single exam.
Why do I need to progress to the next level??
@@RingwayManchester for a couple of reasons, first you're presenting radio information to people, so for me that should be done from a place of informed education, a full license showing a top level of that in AR, and second as stated above, when Ofcom agreed to the 3 tier progressive licensing system, the premise was to find a quick and simple way to get people into AR, unlike the more difficult RAE process from C&G earlier, but that candidates would not stop at that first level for ever, after they gain experience at the lower level, this was to springboard them through the next 2 exams. It has been said that Ofcom expect candidates to progress, and if that is not happening, then they will consider withdrawing the part licenses, and reinstate the full license as a single exam again.
Ok I switched off at this should be done from a place of education. You’re the exact type of person that puts new people off radio.
You’re talking absolute rubbish, the class of license has nothing to do with someone’s knowledge of radio. I know foundation license holders who run rings round some full license holders.
You’re comments are actually laughable!!
@@RingwayManchester OK, dodge the question if you wish, pretend its not relevant, but to counter, I'm not the "type of person that puts new people off radio", quite the opposite I'm actually an exam trainer and get good results, 3 M7, 1 2E and 2 M0 in the past couple of months alone. Seeing you who has completed the bare minimum required, and talking to people (through TH-cam) about taking AR exams, just seems wrong when you've such little experience of the process.
I’m not dodging any question, I’ll do the 2E0 when I want to, it’s not a priority to me. And as for the video, I’m talking people through what they might benefit from doing BEFORE going to do the exam. You may deem it wrong but you have no idea about my background in radio, the exam process or anything. As a matter of fact I have a very good friend who founded a club that does courses, I have 2 other good friends who train people and do the exams. I know quite a lot about the whole process and if I had any great desire to do my 2E0 then I could do it straight away.
1st