My Christmas Blog

Do you remember when you were just 12 years of age? And your mum & dad gave you your first crystal set for Christmas? No? Well I don’t either but it sets the scene for my Blog entry today.

Earlier this year I replaced my second (reserve) radio with a new one. (I won a Yaesu FT-897, thanks to Yaesu and Chiltern DX Club) The FT-100 had been a great radio for me and was given to me by a radio amateur in Japan as a gift on a visit in 2003 so I was not going to sell the radio but instead I decided it would be a great idea to give this HF / VHF / UHF Transceiver to a young radio operator coming into the hobby that showed great potential and passion for the hobby.

We all know how expensive this hobby can be, and when you first get licensed there is so much equipment you need and want to get your hands on. But when you are just 12 years old money can be a bit of a problem. United Radio QSL Management Bureau have decided to “elmer” a young radio ham called Aidan from Birmingham England to encourage, help and advise this young chap through his introductory time into Amateur Radio. He loves contesting and DX’ing and has just passed the UK’s Foundation Exam.

Aidan has been a Scout at the Dorridge Scout Group and when Scout Leader Callum M0MCX introduced the scouts to Amateur Radio Aidan was always there to help out with the contests and showed huge enthusiasm for this wonderful hobby of Amateur Radio. Over the coming months I will Blog Aidan’s progress in the hobby.

On passing the Foundation Exam I presented Aidan with a Christmas present for him to open…. Wow what a great surprise that was to Aidan:
Yaesu FT-100 Transceiver
Yaesu FC-20 Auto ATU
Comet H-422 Dipole Antenna

So my message to you for Christmas is think about the future of our hobby, try to “Elmer” / mentor a new ham and  help and guide them into the hobby. The future is in your hands.
Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for all your emails and comments received this year. 73 de Tim M0URX

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Tim Beaumont