Reply With QuoteWhich club did you pass with?
Well as it happened the original tutor let me down.
What I did instead was to join a club, that in itself is a bit of a story.
My QTH is Sarf London but because of other commitments I had I couldn't make any of the 2 local clubs meetings, and I didn't know of any other clubs local to me, until I had a brainwave, as the amount of info about clubs on the net is a bit limited.
I listened on the 2M band and identified 2 clubs just the other side of the water from me, I contacted both of them, only one replied so I went along to one of their club nights.
When I told them I didn't think I needed the training they thrust a mock exam at me, 20 mins and 92% later they said, "lets go for the licence".
They are very correct about procedure and told me even if I thought I knew it all I would still have to do the practical, because of commitments again I couldn't do that for 2 weeks, but the date came and we went through it all in an hour or so.
I went on holiday and had a few things to do so yesterday was the first date I could make it (given that oFcom require 10 working days notice) and the rest is history.
So my advice to you is even if you can't find a local club in Halifax, if you can have a listen on 2m or 70cm and see if you can hear any club nets and then contact them.
Now I am sitting here with a soldering iron warming up so that I can finish building a SW receiver as I want to get the next one out of the way ASAP.
Looking through the net and forums, it appears to me that FL training is a bit seasonal with hardly anything happening in summer, picking up again in the autumn, so all I can suggest is doing what I did, finding a club on air with an active net and contacting them.
One other thing I have noticed is that a lot of people tend to "use" clubs to get a ticket then bog off into the blue yonder never to seen again, in my case I was so impressed with how friendly and helpful this club was that I joned as a member and intend to ( I hope) make a useful contribution to their club life.
Which club did you pass with?
How long does it take for Ofcom to process your foundation pass test thingie once they have the papers? I passed on Friday and the papers were sent off Monday.
Mine were sent Sunday/Monday call sign was available late Wednesday, on Ofcom site!
Mine were sent off on a thurs, had my licence the following Monday
M6PAP I am in Sussex on Sunday and I will have a dual band Handy with me, so I am going to play about accessing the Brighton and Crawley repeaters.
Brighton 70 cms is also echolink and is quite well used but 2mts is a bit on the low usage side!
Sadly I'm out with no radio all day Sunday, so won't hear you, some would say your lucky!!
My jury is still out on echolink, I don't know if I like it or not.Originally Posted by M6PAP
To me it feels "dishonest", if I want to work another station I want to do it over the air not via the internet, that was the whole point in getting a ticket.
Yea to that, If I want to dial someone I use a telephone!!
Just my choice before I get jumped on, it just don't make sense to me.
And yes I have used it and will again while on a net but not my first choice, bit like watching films on a PC when you got a very large TV in the corner of the room!!
Still waiting!
still waitingStill waiting!
Seems a long time, hope your not waiting via the post as you need to go to he Ofcom site and register with the number on the paperwork you were given when you passed.
If you are doing so then sorry for pointing it out, but 3 days seems to be the norm.
Sussex appears to be dead for Hams, loads of calls put out, no QSO's.
Maybe I smell?
I know how you feel all day Saturday special event station, calling on FM even with D-Star 8 QSO's all day!!
Maybe the collinear needs to go higher then the fire service training tower!!
HF wasn't much better would you believe 36 QSO's in the day with the antenna at 90 feet!!
There was a problem with the link between the RSGB and Ofcom. My application was affected so the confirmation process was done manually via email between the two.
So, hello from M6IND !
Hi M6IND
Congratulations (eventually)!!!
If you want your username changed PM me.
Hope to work you some time.
Congrats on the call, forever on your mind!!
Did you choose or was it given?
Very interesting following this discussion - I have just emailed a few contacts to try and get a club (or a least a lead to a club) that does the Foundation Course and liscence.
However I have a secret weapon - I know where the local clubs pub is!!! haha - shall go along and see them in thier native habitat next teusday if I can..
I selected it as its my surname... handy!
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