Back after almost 30 years - G1DBS

I received a confirmation email today from OFCOM with my licence attached that my old callsign is now active again after a lapse of almost 30 years!

Now looking forward to making contact with you all on the air with my new rig.

Best 73

Deb

Very well done there Deb and totally thrilled for you!  
(Ofcom do a grand job really when you think about it.)


I don't know if you're aware that you should also be able to operate Amateur Radio in other countries under the H.A.R.E.C. (Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate) scheme.

Details are in the Ofcom documentation at the following link under section 7.1 :-

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/82637/amateur_radio_licence_guidance_for_licensees.pdf


Also details of those countries involved are in the following document for T/R 61-02 :-

https://docdb.cept.org/download/2569


Just in case any of that is of any help.


Have fun and hope to catch you on the bands!

All the best,
Victor

Many thanks, Victor. I was looking at HAREC this morning. Will probably apply closer to my 3 months as a F/G1DBS coming to an end.

Just listening at the moment. When I was last active it was on VHF/UHF only, so I have to get up to speed with HF etiquette and procedures.

I wonder how many G8 G6 and G1s are still active in the UK, and how many took the opportunity to work HF?

Deb

Loads of G1, G7, G8 & M1's on air with HF here in the UK Deb. 
Got handed it on a plate after they dropped the Morse requirement.

Do love to hear those call signs on VHF though, harks back to the days of old. (VHF/UHF is pretty quiet otherwise nowadays, desolate repeaters and the odd competition.)

'Etiquette'? I got moaned at with my first go on 80m as an M7! 
Apparently I was too strong a signal to be running 10W, slurs of 'Covid Ham' and told to come back when I can transmit more power.....

With the recent Ofcom changes I now have more power!

Ha! Shouldn't bring the hobby into disrepute (although many manage it on their own) and overall a lot of warm welcomes were to be had which seems more common nowadays. There'll still always be a BR68 C&G RAE stick in the mud type though.

Get yourself on air Deb and enjoy it all.

73,
Victor

I promise I'm not a stick-in-the-mud  even though I got a distinction and a credit

With the state of the rural lanes around here, I can't say that about the van. But I do have a tractor!

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon in the camper listening to a very loud Spanish station working north America on 10m, despite the violent storm we've had here. Tempted to shout a CQ, but the US stations were only just above the QRM for me. And anyway 'foxtrot stroke golf one delta bravo sierra is a bit of a mouthful - I need to practice in front of a mirror ha ha.

I've also been using the online SDR at the University of Trente in NL to gain some knowledge.

Deb

Ha! Ha! Luckily I'm not one of those that tar everyone with the same brush.

Yeah, spent many an hour listening to the Twente webSDR myself amongst others.
Never managed to get a mini-whip working as well as they did though, but a bit of electric lawnmower lead has served me well hooked up as a doublet in my loft.  

Clear and concise is always the best way to announce your call sign in my opinion. 
I've had terrible trouble over the years deciphering "Gee-Far-Fee-Blubble-Blub" or "Tweeoh-Pigeon" let alone "Em-something-dum-dee-doo-dah"!

Our international brethren seem to do a good job despite English not being a first language for some and often stick to the NATO phonetics as well. George, Washington, Yokohama, Sugar, Freddy, Baltimore stuff stops my brain processing dead in it's tracks!

Right, I'm off for me tea. Catch you soon.

Victor

Enjoy your tea, Victor. We had Fish & Chips.

I'm stuck with a mini whip on the van atm. But contemplating a full wave long wire when I get an 80m rig.

Deb