Back to amateur radio

Posted by: velofellow on 14 August 2015

I gave up amateur radio 28 years ago when the children arrived. Having now retired I decided to buy a little scanner to listen to aircraft etc. Talking to Richard at Martin Lynch I discovered that renewing a licence was straightforward.

I now find myself with a very useful HF transceiver (Kenwood TS 590sg) and Yaesu VHF and UHF gear. The only fly in the ointment has been the local council. I contacted them to see the position regarding antennas on the chimney and expected a quick yes or no. My request was could I put up a one metre whip and a one and a half metre whip without planning permission. I included the details of each antenna in my email.Five weeks later I still and waiting a reply despite it being their aspiration to deal with questions within two weeks. There is no way that I am going to go through the planning process. Ironically, there are alternatives which are more unsightly which do not require planning permission.

In retrospect, I should have just put the antennas up and said nothing to the council. We never stop learning do we.

Posted on: 14 August 2015 by Mr Mole

Havng stopped renewing my licence back in the early 80's, I've always wondered if they gave my G6 call-sign to somebdy else, or is it in Limbo somewhere.

Posted on: 15 August 2015 by velofellow

Your call sign is yours forever. I was very pleased to get my G6XYZ call sign back. should you wish to get yours back you have to provide Ofcom with evidence as they apparently have no records pre2005 or so. I contacted RSGB and they emailed me a page from the call sign book within 15 minutes. This is deemed to be sufficient evidence. Needless to say ,I joined RSGB pdq.

As an aside, modern gear is truly superb and about a third the price of 80s stuff in real terms.