Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group

Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group

.The Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group
Affiliated to The Radio Society of Great Britain

 GW0VJS / GC0VJS

The Mid Glamorgan ARG was formed in 1994. The groups mission was to provide and promote a learning base for all aspects of Amateur Radio, outside of the Statutory Adult Education Service, that was part of the culture of learning Amateur Radio in the Bridgend area.

A Provision that could offer training, and education, for potential Radio Amateurs, without students having to pay for enrolment, or tuition fees. A group that would use the new Novice Licence syllabus as an opportunity to provide a level of learning that was suitable for all students regardless of age, gender or ability, or any of the perceived prejudices that kept students away from the more conventional seats of learning.

The group activities in the early days focused on school visits, giving talks and demonstrations, special event stations, and set up stations at Fayres, show grounds and Community Open Days, promoting Amateur Radio at every opportunity.

Other group activities included taking part in the conventional assessment of the Mole phone,(new technology) taking part in underground to surface transmissions with cave and mountain rescue teams.

The group also took part in the first ever “cave to cave” transmission, linking a cave complex in Wales with the Scarfell cave complex in Lancashire and working and linking with a number of DX Countries, including contacting the QE2 while on Cruise in the southern seas. All from our station below ground.

The Mid-Glam ARG was also one of the fore runners in obtaining Lottery Funding to further and promote its mission statement of providing accessible free community education, and also provided additional support to other radio groups and societies in support of their bids for Lottery Grants.

The Group also boasts the youngest ever full A class Amateur amongst its students, and who went on to become the youngest ever Novice Instructor.

As a part of the Groups Development Program, it successfully obtained the status of an examination centre, which at the time was a major boost to accessing Radio Amateur Exams after Community Education Services could no longer offer their facilities.

The group takes part in the usual special event stations and competitions, and have transported a caravan/mobile station into a number of not so exotic locations in order to give the clubs call sign a good airing. The Group maintain a level of involvement with Special Event Stations including Nash Point Lighthouse; whose former keeper is an honorary member of the club, Wales Air Ambulance, St David’s Day, and Margam Stones Museum, and other fundraising ventures for charities.

Mid-Glamorgan ARG’s membership includes, CCC Radio of Caerphilly, who supply equipment and services to the members at discount prices.
The Late Clive Trotman GW4YKL, a former president of the RSGB, was an honorary member of the group, and fully supported the group in its early stages of development.

The Group Annual Celebration Buffets are some of the better ones in the Principality and at its first “Annual” Celebration the guest speaker was John Case GW4HWR, former chair of RSGB Training & Education Committee. These buffets are held almost quarterly these days, as there is always something to celebrate.

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The group meets 50 weeks per year with Christmas and New Year weeks being the only Non group nights.

Tuition is available at every level of license, including Morse if required; there are NO membership fees, NO tuition fees, and NO administration fees. Students pay the prescribed examination fees as set by their governing body.

Most classes and tutorials are supported with handouts and students have a portfolio of information as well as their textbooks.

The club station is operational and available to all members on club nights.

The group meets every Thursday night at 7.30 pm in its HQ at Aberkenfig Sports and Social Club, Aberkenfig, Bridgend tel:- 01656 720323 (Close to junction 36 of the M4.)

All visitors are welcome.

Contact:-
Tom Beedle. GW0TOM. 01656 736954. Chair Person / Principal Tutor
Mrs Lynne Beedle. GW0VMS.07828122005 . Secretary / Examination Secretary

E-mail Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group on tom@tbeedle.freeserve.co.uk

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Last Updated:2008-02-18