If you have come to this page whilst idly surfing the Web you may be wondering why
on earth would I want to become an Amateur Radio operator and sit exams for the
privilege.

Most of us hate examinations and once school is behind us a feeling of elation wafts
over us, so why, oh why climb back of this horse?

Well, personally, I have always enjoyed listening to non commercial radio transmissions
be they from Amateur Radio operators, aircraft, or any mobile service has always been
a fascination.

In the late 70′s there was a surge in the popularity of 27Mhz operation and I, like many
other current amateurs became hooked and talked to a wide variety of countries albeit
illegally.

Becoming fed up of expecting to see Bert Hammett G3VWK [ at the time was the local
RIS operative, now a friend] many of us decided to take the then RAE which consisted
of 2 City & Guilds Examinations and then, to gain access to HF a Post Office morse test
at 12wpm.

CW,[morse] is no longer a requirement today and the first level of exam gives access
to virtually the full spectrum and becoming an amateur if much easier now than it has
ever been.

I joined the Cornish Amateur Radio Club in 1980 and was elected to its Committee in
1981 and still remain there to this day. In I think 1982 I became the Club’s Secretary
and remained on that post for about 7 years I think, then I became Vice Chairman for 3
years and became Chairman following that and remained in that post for about 8 years.
The following year I remained in the Committee in a non executive position and then
became the President and remain in that post to this day.

I am a firm believer that what younget put of your hobby is directly proportional
to what you put in.

It is a hobby where,once licenced, it matters now what age you are or what disabilities
you may have because once you have made contact with a fellow amateur across the
globe they have no idea that you are in your 90′s are blind, in a wheelchair, bald, fat or
beautiful, everyone is equal and friends are made over a massive range of ages. You will
find the older the amateur is the more technical knowledge there is locked within his brain
and the more interesting the conversation will be. Just talk, listen and learn.

It is a tremendous hobby for young people to get involved in and very often large
technology based companies offer sponsored scholarships and being a radio ham can pave
the way to an excellent career opportunity. Unfortunately at present, we are not seeing
very many young entrants to our hobby. This is really the direct result of the computer
revolution drawing them into communication by that means and, of course, mobile
telephones.

One youngster actually said to me that Marconi

was of no interest to him, what did he ever do, then, he answered his mobile and
chatted for a while with his mate. When he finished I mentioned that Marconi paved the
way to make that act possible. ‘But its a telephone not a radio he quipped’ well yes its
called a mobile phone but in actuality it is a transceiver a device capable of both transmission
and receipt of a radio signal at the frequency set by the telecommunications company. No radio,
no mobile phone, no remote controls, no television, no radio1 WOW a different world indeed.

The Cornish Radio Amateur Club (CRAC) is a fully accredited centre of learning appointed by
the RSGB/Ofcom and we are currently capable holding courses for all three stages of
qualification necessary become an amateur radio operator and eventually to reach the
full amateur radio licence.

Our trainer is Graham G3LAI. I wish I had his level of knowledge and ability to pass this
knowledge on to others. I believe he has forgotten much more than I personally have
ever known about the subjects taught and any candidate will be safe hands.

We do not charge for the courses and don’t stipulate that membership of the Club is
required although we hope candidates will want to join once they get to know us. At times,
however, if we need to hire a hall for extra sessions [we try to hold courses for the hour
prior to normal meetings at no extra hall cost to us] the candidates may be asked to bear
the cost of the hall rent, fair we think.

Graham is a fully accredited trainer and has been CRB checked so parents will have no
fears if their youngsters want to attend our courses.

The sessions are held in the Church Hall at Perranarworthal between Truro and Falmouth
and details will be provided when you enquire.

To end, on a personal note, I was 28 when I became licenced and really wish I had done
so before. As a schoolboy at Falmouth Grammar I was enthralled by my friend John’s Dad’s
radio set up, he is also John G3FNP of Falmouth, a white stick operator and still ative now
and he must be well into his 80′s. Once a schoolmates dad and now a friend with the same
interests.

Go on, give it a try

Norman – G4USB
President – CRAC