Novice-Friendly Radio Blog by M7MCQ: INTERMEDIATE LICENCE

Sunday, 9 February 2020

INTERMEDIATE LICENCE

GOING UP?

When I passed my Foundation exam, I was encouraged to go straight for the Intermediate and I do see the logic in that, but I wanted to stick with the M7 licence for a while and learn more about the hobby with a 10W restriction. I figured it would encourage me to become a better operator - and I believe it did.

With 10W I've had a lot of fun and managed to work many parts of the world one way or another. After a year though, I am now getting ready to learn more. And when I say learn, I do mean learn - I'm not going to study to 'fluke a pass' - I want to know, not to guess!

So with that in mind, I've got the RSGB Intermediate Licence study book and I'm going to get stuck into it. I'm in no rush and I have no plans to go on any Club Courses - just home-study. When I feel ready, I'll see the relevant people at my local club about sitting the exam.

2 comments:

PE4BAS, Bas said...: Good idea Tom, at least you started well. 10W is fun but sometimes it is not enough especially when you want to work really rare DX. I wish you good luck studying. 73, Bas; 10 February 2020 at 11:57
MadDogMcQ said...: Thanks Bas, I appreciate your encouragement.; 10 February 2020 at 13:16

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Thanks for visiting! This blog started out as a "Radio Blog" but I now post virtually anything on here relating to my (many) hobbies.

When it comes to HAM RADIO, this blog is here in the hope that some newbies will learn from either my mistakes or my successes. Experienced Hams will probably find it all very boring. I also use this blog like a personal NOTEPAD so I can refer back and recall how I sorted a problem, LOL.

I've been a Shortwave Listener of sorts for many years and I've been interested in radio since being a child growing up in the 60's. Although not blessed with great intelligence(lol), I've always been interested in the technical workings of the things around me.

In the 90's I considered taking the Amateur course at the local college but it was a very long-winded affair and I just couldn't afford the time. But now I've got more leisure time, I took the Foundation Course at West Manchester Radio Club and passed the exam on the 21st Feb 2019. I may now move on to studying for the more advanced "intermediate" stage.

My main area of interest will be Low Power and I can merge my interest in radio with my interest in hill walking. My QTH close to the West Pennine Moors means that I'm conveniently placed for many great walks and lofty take-offs. I'm also a short drive away from the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Being a biker, it's easy to throw on a small rucksack loaded with my tiny IC-705 radio and a 20/40M BandHopper2 and quickly get to some interesting places for a bit of QRP DXing or SOTA work. I'm also interested in DSTAR and other digital modes. DIY Antennas is something that tickles my fancy too!

Thanks for checking out my blog - I will hopefully chat on the air with you sometime.

73's