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Hi-tech world of amateur radio
Thursday November 27th 2008. Posted: 09:30
Amateur radio has moved on massively as a hobby since Tony Hancock hammed it up in his classic 1960 episode of Hancock’s Half Hour.
Back then the show saw the comedian play the role of a bored radio ham who received a mayday call from a ship in distress but kept getting distracted before he could note down its position. These days amateur radio is a vibrant and exciting hobby that encompasses all methods of radio communication. Enthusiasts can take part in radio orienteering, contact remote islands and speak to people around the world. They can work through satellites, bounce signals off the moon and even talk to the astronauts on the international space station. Rob Ashman, who works on the BT Wholesale broadband helpdesk team at City Place, Gatwick, has been involved in amateur radio for more than ten years and loves every minute of it. He serves on the committee of the Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society where his principal role is to help run external events and exercises with groups such as the scouts and guides. He said: “I initially went along with a friend of mine who was a member and found it was the ideal hobby for someone like me who had always loved poking their fingers into things they shouldn’t.” Rob was recently given a £475 grant from BT Community Champions to help the society buy some additional items for its fully equipped radio shack at Burgess Hill where members meet weekly to communicate worldwide or listen to talks by guest speakers. It’s the second time that Rob has been given a BT donation to support his voluntary work. Last year he received £270 which helped to buy a LCD projector. Find out more about the society on its website or visit the website of the Radio Society of Great Britain for more general information about amateur radio.
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