President opens new school Amateur Radio club

Wakefield-based Silcoates School's amateur radio club was recently officially opened by RSGB President Jeff Smith.

The school has nine licensed amateurs among its pupils. Seven hold Foundation licences and two have Intermediate callsigns. The club is growing, with four more pupils due to take the Foundation course at the neighbouring North Wakefield Radio Club in December.

The school club's founder, Nigel Wears M0NJW, a music teacher at Silcoates, said: “We were delighted that the President could be with us, and he clearly enjoyed his time with the pupils.”

Also in attendance were Anthony Vinters and Richard Horton from STELAR - Science and Technology through Educational Links with Amateur Radio – an organisation that encourages schools to include amateur radio within their curriculum.

Silcoates School 's amateur radio club is well equipped with HF, VHF/UHF radios, a “Rigblaster” to give data modes, a Yaesu 101 and the main rig - an FT-1000MP. “The pupils are now busily getting their own stations set up at home, and already three of them are active on HF”, added Nigel.

The club has entered over 600 HF QSOs in the log since it opened in September and pupils have already competed in contests. “We have more contests planned,” said Nigel, “along with construction and CW training.”

Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the RSGB