Our Hobby and Motorhoming

[@rj2para]

Thanks for sharing. Great intro to our hobby. Currently studying for the UK Foundation exam.

[@MotoringMatilda]

Brilliant. Good luck with your exam :). Ian

[@brianwatson3415]

Ian, another thought after this video..... Could you put together a video detailing the equipment you use both with Matilda and your backpack (That might be two videos).... It was nice to see the station, Antenna and software you was using for logging, but I know you operate C4FM, CW, FT8, and operate on both HF and VHF.

[@rozzydave]

Excellent explanation. Particularly like the short opening conversation. Long may the hobby continue.

[@MotoringMatilda]

Thanks Dave. Don't know who it was I was working at the time ;)

[@g0ylm]

Great hobby. Nice to be able to keep in touch

[@ShirleyScott-r1i]

It's really nice to hear about your hobby - sounds really interesting.

[@MotoringMatilda]

Thanks Shirley. It's great that we share the hobby. In fact we met on radio :). Ian

[@DeanLogan-jt5nu]

Great video Ian. I liken the hobby to plane spotting from home - but its far more than that. The nets are great and local clubs can provide great support and many new friends. Dean.

[@MotoringMatilda]

I have made so many friends over the years Dean. It's a wonderful hobby :)

[@KevPugh]

Nice one Ian. HNY to both you and Linda...

[@MotoringMatilda]

Thanks Kev :). HNY!

[@brianwatson3415]

Nicely put together Ian as always..... I have put a direct link onto Kansas City Wide Wires X. I think there will be an interest and its good to see how things are done in the UK.

[@MotoringMatilda]

Many thanks Brian. It was tricky trying to balance it so that the complete novice would understand. I hope I achieved that. Ian

[@robduncan599]

Good video. I'm dead jealous of that RGO one .very 73 .

[@MotoringMatilda]

Many thanks. The RGO ONE is great!

[@LeisureBit]

Really interesting hobby, I used to use a CB back in the 80s when I was a young lad, and keep thinking of getting one for the van… BUT as you said, Amateur radio seems more active than CB. I wouldn’t know where to start on which band etc or what I would need or what is needed to get started kit wise. What’s the cost of the kit roughly to get started and for the licence? Very interesting… all the best, David 👍

[@MotoringMatilda]

Wow, a short question but a huge one to answer! How much do you want to spend would be my response :). I don't know where you live, so it is difficult to be precise. Your best bet would be to find your local club. The Radio Society of Great Britain would be able to help with that. The Foundation exam is online and costs about £30 I *think*, Your licence is free for life but needs to be revalidated at least every 5 years, again online at OFCOM. The Foundation licence exam is not difficult and gets you 25W on just about every band. You can achieve quite a lot on that. I sometimes run as little as 5W when using Morse code. With digital modes, I have 'worked' Japan on 5W. I suspect you would prefer the short wave bands (HF), at least at the beginning. VHF and above is more local. For you, mounting an aerial would be simple. Having a camper means you have plenty of metal yo go at, so a simple vertical aerial on a magnetic mount would work. If you want to chat further about this, you can DM me on FB as Motoring Matilda or Ian Maude (I should be easy enough to find). I use a Memoji wearing a cap. Another option is to join our UK Motorhome and Amateur Radio Group on FB. There will be someone in your area I would imagine. Ian

[@ralphnunn3]

Thanks for the video. I'm hoping someday to join your ranks on this side of the pond. I'm hoping to get a travel trailer soon, and travel to all the National Parks here, and activate them with my wife. That can't happen yet, as we're still both working stiffs. But, someday we're going to hit the road. BTW, how do you like that RGO One? I've got my eye on one of those, myself.

[@MotoringMatilda]

You have amazing parks over there! Your time will come and it gives you something to aim for too :). The RGO One is great. It reminds me of my K2 but modernised. No internal noise to speak of on a single superset of course and I constantly get great audio reports using a cheap Icom fist mic. I love it. It's perfect for portable use.