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Thread: Amateur Radio

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    In the glorious county of Caithness!!
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    80

    Default Amateur Radio

    If anybody is interested in Amateur radio or Ham radio Caithness Amateur radio Society meet on teh first wed of every month at the Nethercliffe Hotel in Wick at 730 pm . If you want to gain an Amateur radio licence we can arrange for you to have a couse of lessons and the exam and it is a lot easier than you think.
    It is not just radio but also encompases electronics, computing etc . as well as Tv - Basically a lot more than people realise .
    Anybody who is interested is more than welcome to come along for a chat .
    Or email me
    gm1ban@fsmail.net for more info

  2. #2

    Default Scanner ?

    Hi, I'm not quite at the amature radio stage, but used to enjoy listening to my Dad's scanners and radios.
    Could you tell me what sort of scanner (make/model etc) I would need to listen to coast-guard, planes and other various broadcasts please, as I miss this.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    In the glorious county of Caithness!!
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    Default

    Caithness AMateur Radio Society now also meet at Castletown Heritage Centre where they have a permanent Amateur Radio station . they usually meet there on the 3rd wed of the month at 7-730pm. anybody interested is most welcome to come and see.or email for more details

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wick
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    3,849

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vectus View Post
    Hi, I'm not quite at the amature radio stage, but used to enjoy listening to my Dad's scanners and radios.
    Could you tell me what sort of scanner (make/model etc) I would need to listen to coast-guard, planes and other various broadcasts please, as I miss this.
    Depends on how many ££'s you want to spend.
    Most Realistic scanner's you can get off ebay will cover a broad range and you could get one for £50 - £80.
    If you want new top end tackle then your into £££'s and more.

    It also depends on the quality of the unit you want too, audio and reception wise.
    Another consideration is if you want it mobile.

    Feel free to PM if you want any more info.


  5. #5

    Default scanner

    Hi,
    I bought a transciever off ebay some time ago, its a Jingtong VHF. FM model J-T208 but can't pick up anything to listen too.
    Is this the completely wrong sort?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wick
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vectus View Post
    Hi,
    I bought a transciever off ebay some time ago, its a Jingtong VHF. FM model J-T208 but can't pick up anything to listen too.
    It's 2m Ham radio, 136 - 174Mhz. Not really a scanner at all.

    Is this the completely wrong sort?
    Pretty much I'm afraid.

    Something like this may do for starters: fleabay linky


  7. #7

    Default

    Phill.
    This is a little large, I was thinking of something more portable, but thanks for the info.

    DRM.
    Thanks for your reply, yes I know its illegal to transmit without a licence. (hopefully the police have better things to do )

    I only want to listen to coastgaurd, planes etc.,

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Wick
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vectus View Post
    Phill.
    This is a little large, I was thinking of something more portable, but thanks for the info.

    DRM.
    Thanks for your reply, yes I know its illegal to transmit without a licence. (hopefully the police have better things to do )
    also illegal to listen without a licence to most transmissions

    I only want to listen to coastgaurd, planes etc.,
    Fleabay linky no 1 this is entry level stuff.

    Linky 2 these are pretty good.

    Linky no 3 also very good, I've had one for years.


  9. #9

    Default

    That's much more like what I'm looking for, thank you for all your help.

    (Don't stress about the legal side of things, the police arn't interested )

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Wick
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vectus View Post
    (Don't stress about the legal side of things, the police arn't interested )

    I'm not stressed, your right though, the polis are'nt bothered.

    but the man from OFCOM is, and he doesn't need a warrant!!


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Barrow in Furness
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    Default

    I used to have a scanner years ago. They were much more fun when you could pick up the Police and mobile phones on them.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
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    wick
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Phill View Post
    I'm not stressed, your right though, the polis are'nt bothered.

    but the man from OFCOM is, and he doesn't need a warrant!!
    nope its the bbc now and most of the RIS is now disbanded.
    dx
    Private Electronic Workshop in Wick - send us a PM
    **WE NOW DO REPAIRS AND CRACKED SCREENS ON MANY PHONES & TABLETS**
    PC virus/ransomware/data recovery/repair & service
    also Private marine & CB/Amateur radio repairs

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Wick
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bazeye View Post
    I used to have a scanner years ago. They were much more fun when you could pick up the Police and mobile phones on them.
    Ahh the good old days of listening to mowbyfones.....apparently.

    Quote Originally Posted by dx100uk View Post
    nope its the bbc now and most of the RIS is now disbanded.
    It's a digital world now and they sold Tetra to everyone so they don't need the RIS anymore.

    But I do know they still have a couple of boys very adept with their size 9's and a crowbar!


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    Default

    What point nowadays? The average 9 year old has a more powerful means of communication tucked away in their pocket. Free internet calls 24/7, anywhere in the world, irrespective of atmospheric conditions, or having a monster antenna outside the house!

    It amuses me at the annual horse riding parade here in Orkney every August. Local hams stationed all over the place providing "emergency communications cover" in yellow vests, oblivious to the fact that every horse rider has a mobile phone in their pocket that is capable of summoning emergency assistance directly via 999, far faster than relaying a message via 3 parties!

    I guess it gives them a fun day out....

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
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    Caithness
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    Default

    Many amateurs have been and are involved in experimental work, with out their input many things that we take for granted in the communications field would not have happened.
    I quite agree that with todays computers and phone networks, it does seem a some what out of date concept but having been a licensed operator for many years, part of the appeal is in the challenge of knowing which frequency and which antenna will get that contact at the other sde of the world. On the VHF and UHF frequencies being able to read the weather charts is also a necessity.
    There is nothing quite like building and experimenting with all that involves and finding that it works.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Wick
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Hello! I am very interested in Amateur Radio. Here in Switzerland i am listen to the shortwaves, but i do not have a good antenna. I use an old Sony receiver and severals russian receivers (R-311, R-324/326 and other). I will move to Caithness in c 2 month and would be happy to meet you.
    Regards
    meinrad

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