Who is Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club?
Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club is an association dedicated to amateur radio and is (what the US term) a ham radio club near me, near you and near all of us in and around Hampshire.
Ham Radio Club = Amateur Radio Club
As a prospective member of an amateur radio/ham radio club, you may be thinking of your needs for joining and of what resources and activities you would like to be available that facilitate your interests & focus with our hobby.
Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club is not only one of the most active clubs in the area; judging by the reviews we have received, we have a reputation for being one of the most friendly, having members eager to advise and share their knowledge with others (no matter your levels of experience). We have a Club Shack at the Fort that members can access daily, radio equipment (transceivers, antennas, etc.) that members may borrow, and regular Field Events held at the Fort.
Getting Started in Joining our Club
By far the best way to see what we’re about is to come and visit us during a club evening (last Friday of the month up at the fort) or by coming along to one of our field events or any other planned activity.
PLUS: club membership is optional while we’re seeing if we’re right for one another (pay no membership fees up front).
Contact us for a Visit
You are welcome to contact our Membership Secretary: Peter G4NKX or our Examination Secretary: Graham M0CYX via our Contact Us Page to arrange for you to visit us.
We’ll be happy to hear from you.
Becoming a Club Member
Club membership is not automatic and is subject to committee approval. But the process is straightforward.
Firstly, it’s best to meet us in person by coming to an event (see our Events Calendar) for you to experience if our club suits what you’re looking for. As a non-club member, you are welcome to visit us up to three times before you make an application for club membership. This gives us plenty of time to get to know each other.
There are no costs involved in meeting with us as a prospective member (other than the £1 that every visitor, guest and member pays to cover each meeting’s room-hire costs and facilities).
When you’re ready to apply, complete the application form, get a sponsor (someone in the club that you got to know during your visits) and hand it to Peter G4NKX.
| 📝 | Application forms and a copy of the club constitution are available from Peter G4NKX (Membership Secretary) at any club meet/event or via email on request. |
Club Membership Costs
Membership costs are reviewed annually.
Adult membership costs £30.00 per year (our year begins on 1st September). If it's midway through the year, we ask only for half the fee (£15.00). There is no joining fee, and there are concessions for young people. For existing members, late membership payments incur an extra £5.00.
Additionally, every club member and guest or visitor pays a £1 attendance fee for each event they attend (club meetings, field days, etc). This fee goes towards funding our hiring costs at Fort Purbrook. Hot refreshments are normally available at no additional charge (bring your own mug!). Club members have the option of prepaying all attendance expenses each September along with their membership fee.
When joining as a new club member, you will pay nothing until your membership application is approved.
Membership Benefits
Successful applicants to the club will receive the following:
- Their membership card in the form of an ID badge.
- Access to our Members-Only Bulletin Board Service. Our BBS contains discussion areas covering, for example, Club Events, Antennas, Equipment, QRP and homebrew construction. Some club members are very knowledgeable and regularly help newcomers (and one another) with solutions to queries.
- Invitations to attend our monthly Club Meetings (see examples) and AGM.
- Invitations to attend our monthly Lunchtime Socials (see examples).
- Invitations to our warmer-months Field Events (see examples).
- Access to use the club shack (using the club radio equipment or bringing in your own equipment to connect to the antennas).
- Access to borrow club hardware.
- Opportunities to take part in club contests, member-run experimental days, our annual Special Event Station GB1PF, and regular community support events (such as local Scouts during their annual Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)).
- Opportunities to propose and run your own club-related events and projects that promote and enhance enjoyment of our hobby.
- Opportunities to participate on the committee.
- Optional access to our website to author and contribute material that educates and informs club members and other radio operators around the world.
Club Activities
If you are new to the hobby or are seeking to upgrade your licence, we can provide learning and support in preparation for your licence examination. Our Learning Support page has further information.
Monthly Club Meets
The last Friday of the month is our club meeting evening. Sometimes it's a "natter night," sometimes it's a presentation by a guest or club member, and sometimes it's a theme night. Visitors & guests welcome.
📡 See Monthly Club Meetings…
Club Shack
For club members, we have a shack where you can use our transceivers, antennas, & computers. Club members may connect their own equipment.
Special Events
We operate special events, including the Special Events Station: GB1PF. representing Palmerston Forts. We make contact with operators around the world, sharing information on the event's topic.
Experimenter Days
We call this type of field day an Experimenter Day. Club members, at all stages of their learning, work with others or alone on radio experiments, testing new equipment (commercial or homebrew), trying out new things ("Does it Antenna...") and maybe becoming inspired by others' projects.
Bereavement
We regularly assist bereaved families with finding buyers for bequeathed radio equipment once owned by a Silent Key operator.
📡 See Silent Key Support…
Weekly Club Net
We hold a Thursday weekly 2m club net where anyone licensed may join in for a natter. SDR users and shortwave listeners are welcome to listen in.
📡 See Open 2m Club Net…
Summer Field Days
In warmer months, we set up gazebos, equipment & refreshments on the western fort ramparts and enjoy activity days, operating field-style. Visitors welcome!
Using temporary antennas along with club and member equipment, we see who we can contact. Attendees are welcome to bring their equipment.
Contesting
We take part in contesting (e.g. making as many contacts within a contest's definition and rules). Contests can last anywhere from an afternoon to 24 hours (or more), and some of us choose to camp out overnight. For us, contesting is about the fun rather than winning, but we wouldn't say no to a trophy 🏆.
Community Events
We regularly help with community events when they involve amateur radio.
Most recently, we've helped local scouts with their worldwide Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) event, where each scout completed a series of tasks such as listening to transmissions using a Software Defined Radio (SDR) and making supervised contacts with other scouts across the world.
One of our Field Event Gazebos
4m Contest Field Weekend
Field Events
Setting up on the Day
Our Original Field Weekend Marquee
We encourage all club members share in the efforts of setting up our resources (marquee(s)/gazebo(s), antennas, transceivers, refreshments) and to put the club call-sign on the air.
Not everyone can help with the heavier work, and that’s fine with us; there’s always something helpful a club member can do, and we wish to welcome all people who are interested in an active club and the efforts that come with the activity.
That old adage, “the more you put in, the more you get out”, works well for us as a club. Team efforts are encouraged, and individually unique contributions are welcomed.
