- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 days, 11 hours ago by
Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX).
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misoldgit
I’m a Born-again radio enthusiast living in Falmouth Cornwall – was into CB donkeys years ago back in the AM days before legalisation then the Gov legalised it on 27Mhz FM just before Xmas. The world and their sibling bought their kids rigs for Xmas and Xmas day was just full of kids swearing at each other and arranging fights.
Then life got in the way, jobs, wife, kids etc.
Retired a few years ago down into Cornwall.
Then just recently I watched a film called The Days After about the aftermath of a nuclear attack. There was a guy in a bunker with a CB and the interest was resparked.
Bought myself a cheap Thunderpole TX handheld and, in an ideal world I would say I found a thriving CB community here in Cornwall, but no – didley squat – round here at any rate.
But my radio interest was piqued so did a bit of digging on the Net about Hams (and old mate of mine was one so I knew a bit about them) and purchased a Baofeng GT-5R to listen to – again not much happening to be honest.
A bit more digging and found you guys offering a free training course (good on yer)
So here I am – I’ve got my Foundation exam on 24th so now considering how to make more of the GT-5R and then maybe some HF at a future date.
I’m in an apartment 2 floors up – I have a balcony so some funky thoughts about antenna may be in order for HF.
Anyway sorry to unload that lot on you – I guess most people just say hi rather than unleash their life story :)
Over..M0WKZ
Welcome to the hobby! I did my foundation via Essex Ham and the resources were spot on. I went onto self-study the “Direct to Full” and just got my M0 call sign on Tuesday! One of the useful resources was the Cornish Radio Amateur Club training videos on YouTube. They do seem like a helpful club, so if you’re in that neck of the woods, it might also be worth looking them up too.
73, Wes M0WKZmisoldgit
Hi Wes
That’s interesting so you got your Foundation then went Direct to Full rather than from non-license. I wasn’t aware that was possible (but I hadn’t looked it up)
I’ve been looking at the CRAC website – I may poke my head round the door at some point.
73Martin Currie
@M0WKZ – I was considering doing the same, but then thought it’s high risk and higher cost. Other than speed and not needing to faff with two callsign changes in rapid succession, are there any benefits to “Direct to Full” for foundation licence holders?
73 Martin MM7MMU
Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)
i thought the direct to full was for those who hadn’t even taken even the foundation exam
if you have already done the foundation the intermediate is not a massive leap in knowledge, so minimal additional learning
the full license is quite a big increase in learning as a lot more electronic theory and radio theory
it depends on your reason for want a full license? i mean since the Ofcom changes the other year there are fewer advantages to a full license
being able to use 1Kw power? then you have cost of linear amp, electric costs running it, and you need a large exclusion zone round the antenna for EMC compliance?
access to 5MHz / 60m band, is useful, especially this time of year as the MUF drops to 40m or lower in the evenings
able to build kit radios, even foundation holders can do this now
73
Peter
M0PWX
(not Pete M0PSX who runs this site)
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