RadCom recently went to some pains to clarify the whole subject of the issue of the new lifetime licences and to explain that you have two choices at this particular moment in time. You can either do nothing, and Ofcom will send you through the post your new lifetime licence shortly before your existing licence is due to expire. Or you can go online to Ofcom and, after they have responded by sending you a password, you can download and print off your own new licence that way.

What you mustn’t do is to operate your station in accordance with the new relaxed rules until you are in possession of your lifetime licence.

My G3GJX licence came up for renewal in January of this year and well before Xmas I got the new lifetime licence through the post. My total inertia had been rewarded! So imagine my surprise when, a couple of weeks ago, I got a second identical lifetime licence through the post. Should I send it back? Would I be in trouble for holding two licences, even if they were for the same callsign? And in my mind I toyed with the idea of working myself, and even sending myself a QSL card. But what would I put in the log/s? But no, I needn’t now keep a log anyway!

As you know, I also hold the call G6XN, strictly on behalf of the club of course, but perhaps Ofcom had made a silly mistake? But no, G6XN is not due for renewal until July and, in any case, the Ofcom reference number is different (Yes, we’re all getting new reference numbers) So let inertia take its course again? Why not?

Brian G3GJX

During the early part of last year it was decided we, as a club, should put on a special event station. This was to raise our profile as a new radio club and, at the same time, gain experience of undertaking such an event. Fortunately, the 95th anniversary of the loss of RMS Titanic loomed ahead, dated April 14th 2007. With John George (Jack) Phillips a local Godalming man and the Chief Marconi Wireless

Officer of that vessel, what other choice of a special station could there be? It was clear that Godalming College was sited on the highest ground in the vicinity and happily the Principal, Mr David Adelman, enthusiastically welcomed the idea of running the station from that location.

Our application for the call sign GB95MGY (Titanic’s call was MGY) was finally approved by OFCOM, the radio licensing authority, in December 2006.

A Steering Committee has been formed to take responsibility for the logistics and the first meeting took place on February 26th. Those present were:

Mike, EFO	(Publicity)
Mike, IAF	(Rigs,Amplifiers, Operators, Helpers)
Olof, CKV	(Antennas, Poles, Coax)
Peter, OSP	(Rigging)
George, DBH	(Rigging, Skipper)
Terry, GIX	(Artwork, Signwriting)
Andrew GJH	(Computers, Coax, Connections & Consultant to Steering Committee)

During week 10 members of the club will be approached to confirm their availability to help with the erection and taking down of the station, shifting some heavy gear like amplifiers and rigs, and arranging tables and screens in the hall etc. There is a need for bods to guide any of the public who may visit and bone up on a little crib of Titanic info for questions that may be asked. All of 'who does what' will come up for focusing at our next meeting on March 16th after the Equipment Recycling sale in the clubhouse. (see page 4)

There are a hundred and one things to fix to make the station a success and the support of all of our club members so far has been terrific. This is going to be a super event for G6XN.

George G2DBH 

         

On behalf of all our members, the Committee wishes to express their very sincere appreciation of Bill’s generosity in handing over his TS570 for use by the club on an indefinite loan basis. The availability of this up to date rig will greatly enhance on-air activities from the clubhouse.

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