Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The newest amateur radio club in the UK launched

Thames Amateur Radio Group (TARG for short) started its first day of operations with a special event station from the studios of local community radio station Phoenix FM in Brentwood using the callsign GX0TRG

By working together with Phoenix FM, the team have been spreading the word about amateur radio with the station’s audience, and updating them on the number of contacts made throughout the day.

Club secretary Pete M0PSX says “Thames Amateur Radio Group is a brand new group that’s been formed to promote and further the interests of amateur radio in Essex. We're proud to be working with Brentwood-based Phoenix FM on our launch day, allowing us to link community radio and amateur radio together. We're planning to make as many contacts with other amateur radio operators around Essex, and around the world, and will keep listeners to Phoenix FM up-to-date with our progress throughout the day."

The new group, based in South Essex aims to spread the word about the amateur radio hobby, work from exciting and unusual locations in Essex, and most importantly, have fun. As well as talking to other amateurs around the world, the group will be promoting some of the less-common data modes, to showcase the variety of ways to use the amateur radio frequencies. The group plans to be out-and-about in Essex promoting the hobby, and encouraging new people to get a licence and get on-air. 

Club chairman Mike 2E0NGY: “We decided to form a group to explore all aspects of amateur radio and to bring the hobby right up to date. Our aim is to participate, demonstrate and teach all modes of amateur radio operation. Amateur Radio is a great hobby, and our aims are to pass on the knowledge of how to become an efficient radio operator, and how to make your signals reach the far corners of the globe.” 

Phoenix FM presenter Scott Ross is currently taking up the challenge of getting his amateur radio licence, after spending many years as a shortwave listener. His interest in the hobby was rekindled after finding out about the Foundation licence, which offers an easy point of entry to the hobby. Assuming Scott passes his Foundation exam next month, expect Scott to be transmitting to the world, as well as broadcasting to a more local audience on 98.0MHz FM.

To find out more about the Thames Amateur Radio Group, go to www.thamesarg.org.uk or follow ThamesARG on Twitter

(Source : Southgate Amateur Radio News)

No comments:

Post a Comment