The Essex Ham slogan is “Promoting Amateur Radio in Essex”… but just where is Essex? Good question…
Where in the world is Essex?
Many years ago, we received the following comment from Milo KF5GCF:
“Given that the Internet is obviously world-wide, would it not be appropriate to identify where in the world Essex is? Especially given that you bill yourself as ‘Promoting Amateur Radio IN Essex’.
I believe there is an Essex, England, but that would still be purely a guess. Maybe it is hidden somewhere, but after a brief perusal, I could not find it.”
A fair point, Milo, and one we’re happy to address.
About Essex
Essex is a county in the east of England, immediately to the north-east of London. It stretches from the edge of Greater London to the North Sea coast and includes places such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Brentwood, Braintree, Harlow and Clacton.
The county has particularly strong links with the history of radio.
- Essex is a county in the United Kingdom, to the north and east of London.
- The county town is Chelmsford, which has an important place in the development of radio.
- Guglielmo Marconi established his wireless business in Chelmsford, and the area became internationally associated with the development of radio communication.
- In 1922, experimental broadcasting station 2MT – “Two Emma Toc” began transmissions from Writtle, near Chelmsford.
- 2MT’s broadcasts were made from a small hut and helped demonstrate the potential of regular entertainment broadcasting.
- Essex continues to have an active amateur radio community, with clubs, repeaters, nets, special-event stations and individual radio amateurs across the county.
The county of Essex, in the United Kingdom
Amateur radio in Essex
Essex has a long association with amateur radio, helped in no small part by the county’s connection with Marconi and the development of wireless communication around Chelmsford.
Today, there are radio amateurs throughout Essex operating on everything from local VHF and UHF to worldwide HF communications. You’ll also find people experimenting with digital modes, data communications, satellites, portable operation, antennas, contesting, Morse, construction and many other aspects of the hobby.
There is plenty of local activity too. Essex has a number of amateur radio repeaters, regular on-air nets and clubs covering different parts of the county.
See our Amateur Radio Repeaters in Essex page for information on local repeaters.
Amateur radio clubs in Essex
Traditional amateur radio clubs remain an important part of the hobby in Essex. They provide somewhere to meet other radio amateurs, get practical help, attend talks and events, take part in contests and field days, and get advice from more experienced operators.
Some Essex clubs have been around for many decades. The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society, for example, has roots going back to 1930 and has particularly strong links with the area’s radio heritage.
There are clubs and groups serving various parts of Essex, so if you’re looking for a local group, take a look at our directory:
Find an amateur radio club in Essex »
Essex Ham – an online amateur radio community
Essex Ham takes a slightly different approach. We’re primarily an online amateur radio community, rather than a traditional club with a clubhouse and weekly meetings.
The aim of Essex Ham is simple: to promote amateur radio in Essex and encourage more people to discover the hobby.
Through the Essex Ham website and our online services, we provide amateur radio news, guides, discussion, local information and support for newcomers and existing radio amateurs.
Training has become a particularly important part of what we do. Our online Foundation training has helped thousands of people prepare for their first UK amateur radio licence, both in Essex and much further afield.
Although we’re proud of our Essex roots, the Internet means that the Essex Ham community now reaches well beyond the county – which brings us neatly back to Milo’s original question!
Want to become a radio amateur?
If you’ve arrived on this page because you’re interested in radio in Essex, you don’t need any previous technical or electronics experience to get involved.
The normal starting point in the UK is the Foundation Licence. You’ll learn some radio basics, take a short multiple-choice exam and, after passing, obtain your own amateur radio callsign.
You can then use amateur radio to make local contacts around Essex or communicate with other radio amateurs much further afield.
Interested in getting started?Essex Ham runs a FREE online Foundation training course designed for complete beginners. Find out about our FREE Foundation Online course » Or see our beginner’s guide to becoming a radio amateur. |
