Radio waves on the rise since lockdown
INTEREST in amateur radio has shot up since lockdown, according to an enthusiast in Wick.
Hamish Duncan, who is based in the town's Bank Row, said that Caithness Amateur Radio Club had to close down operations due to the social distancing rules but he was surprised at the amount of renewed activity and mail received.
At the start of lockdown, the club – of which he is chairman – immediately set up a radio network on 3.740 MHz, operating at 2pm on Mondays and Fridays, so that members could maintain contact with each other and the wider radio community.
"This has been very successful and we will continue this service until the Scottish Government says it is safe to resume our normal activities," Hamish said.
"We have also observed that the amateur radio frequencies are extremely busy with people exchanging information all over the world using licensed amateur radio transmitters.
"Our tuition classes could no longer be held in our club house so we offered tuition courses online using Skype, Messenger or Zoom."
The participants of the course will sit exams as soon as they are deemed to be at a sufficient standard of competence.
Hamish added: "This is a great hobby for anyone of any age as there is a niche to suit anyone.
"The benefit to young people is that a course tailored to their needs will help them achieve interviews that could lead to continuous employment in the many industries that require electronic engineers. Most of these companies have good apprenticeship schemes."
Hamish stresses that older and retired people can be greatly enthused by becoming a radio amateur and joining with others to promote Caithness to the wider world.
"We are small but we still won awards for 'national club of the year' and then a 'national small club of the year'. We've also won many regional awards too."
The club has a Facebook page – Caithness Amateur Radio Society – and its website is www.qsl.net/ms0fnr/
For further information Hamish can be emailed at bankrow@aol.com
