Amateur Radio as a hobby

[Macdara]

Hello,
Can you help please? Ofcom unfortunately do not have gender specific numbers but that aside we, in the hobby are acutely aware of the low numbers of females in this hobby. I know your time is precious so a simple yes or no answer would be really appreciated but feel free to elaborate. You can respond direct or fill in poll.
Question : As a female, would you consider becoming an amateur radio operator?
Thanks ever so much,
Mac

I wouldn't but DH is obsessed!

Can you explain a bit more about amateur radio, do you mean something like hospital radio or CBs

I voted no for myself. But my daughter (aged 38) has. Her late father was a Radio Ham and she wants to take over his call sign; so is currently taking the qualifying tests/exams.

Hi,
A bit like CB but in so far as we talk to others using radio equipment but we are licensed by Ofcom and supported by the Radio Society of Great Britain and communicate using so many different methods, analogue and digital with so many people worldwide and beyond e.g. the ISS. Good fun and serious but still fun worldwide competitions. Hope that helps😄

@Macdara , ah I see , it's not something I do and ( obviously) know nothing about but I am intrigued.
@Thebrink there are exams ? ! 😵‍💫

There certainly are exams. You have to study for and pass the exams to get an Ofcom Amateur Radio licence. You can't do it otherwise.

@Thebrink it makes sense and it would be a good way of tracking/ keeping numbers on who uses it , it just never occurred to me that there was such a thing.
This will be my
'guess what I learned today on mn' thing for today.

Hi OP,

my dad is a silent key. I collect QSL cards as I find the designs and history amazing and I was raised with him supporting welsh car rally’s, going off on competitions, having maps everywhere and have a fuzzy TV when he was busy. And dragging me outside in my dressing gown to watch shooting stars while he bounced his signals off them!

His hobby was his entire life, he loved his radios and them not being around is a huge gap in all of our lives. But I have so so many memories of the call signs the noises and the whole community, his funeral was over the Covid period so low numbers but the radio community were our lifeline, they sent messages and the Radio club were so helpful.

In all the years of growing up radios were part of it, but you know I never recall him discussing any female operators? So strange it’s only just occurred to me to my mind they are all 60+ men!

These people are the pioneers of communication and if the shit hits the fan they will all be ready in their shacks to step up and help!

Hi, unlicensed operators can take part but under supervision of a suitably licensed individual.

Thank you so much for sharing. Take care and enjoy those wonderful memories🤗

It's probably just the stage of life I'm in now (work, long commute, demanding kids), but I can't imagine ever having the time to dedicate to it. I have a mental list of things I would love to do if I had time and they're all less ambitious than amateur radio - but it does interest me, otherwise I wouldn't have clicked on this thread. :-)

Where’s the best place for info about getting into amateur radio? I’ve been considering it as a hobby as I used to love listening to amateur radio pre parenthood.

Love the name by the way. You can find everything you need here: https://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/

Thank you to everyone!
👌

Just want to say thank you for starting this thread @Macdara.
I, my daughter and my friend plan to get our radio quals and equipment in the coming year, when time and finance allows. So that’s at least two women and one teen you’ve managed to recruit on the back of this thread. Well done!

Thank you for your kind message. Welcome to the world of radio communication.
Never pay for training. It is free! I did mine with Steve Hartley G0FUW (his radio callsign) at Bath Based Distance Learning. There is also Billy at GM6DX. Great chap. And don't forget your local club. It does bring a lot of fun and pleasure. 73, 88 for now and hope to hear you and all on the air soon.
M8PJZ.