The MØTZO Blog

Well it’s another new year, and like other blogs, and myself at the start of a new year I feel compelled to write a post with my thoughts for 2009.

So I already have some plans for the coming year.

Firstly in the next few days I should have my new USA Technician Callsign. I will then apply for a Vanity call as I know which one I want.

I am saving some money in the form of Thomas Cook vouchers so I can hopefully get to Dayton in May. Adam WY4N has offered to pay for the hotel room (and his guests help with a small monetary donation, which is cool to me). Also need to save some spending money.

In the next few days I should be getting my newly purchased Yaesu FT-817. OK, it’s only 5w, but if at the time years ago I couldn’t have afforded the FT-897 I would have got the FT-817. I guess I have always wanted one.

Now, D-Star??? I was thinking about getting a D-Star radio, but as it’s still in it’s infancy I will leave this technology for now. Maybe later in the year I might look at this again, but for now D-Star is not for me.

Finally before I go some websites I am working on or am hosting, please check em out:-

• www.10metre.net Site for Home Counties 10 metre UK Net
• www.hamradioforum.net It’s a Ham Radio Forum
• www.hamtests.co.uk Our Award Winning UK Ham Radio mock test site
• www.hamtests.net Our new USA Ham Radio practice test site (launching soon)
• www.dxanywhere.com be informed of that elusive DX you need anywhere you are
• www.lidmag.com So bad, it’s good

And many more!

Have a Happy new Year, and keep reading.

With CQ WW SSB contests around the corner, I thought was about time I updated for my loyal readers.

The local club I usually op in this contest for due to a number of reasons not least a group has just got back from operating on Isle of Arran (Click Here for info). So I shall be doing the contest from my own QTH probably with my uncles old callsign.

Talking of which, about 2 weeks ago I sent a form, 2 letters (from my Granddad & myself) & a £20 cheque requesting my Uncles old UK callsign to Ofcom. He passed away in February and my family were happy for me to get the call.

So I now have G1ZQN as a callsign as well as MØTZO, 2EØTZO. M3TZO has currently lapsed, but shall attempt to get back soon. Why, because I can.

73 for now, and see you in the Test.

Today I sent off the fee to the RSGB for my Full Amateur Radio Exam being held in October.

I will be taking it on the Sunday 9th October 2005 at the HF Convention in Gatwick.

I am reading the Exam book at the moment, but am looking at even a fail as positive as will understand what they are expecting.

So hopefully soon will be my final (UK) call-sign and will lay the other two call-signs to rest.

**Update** – Received E-mail today from RSGB and I have been confirmed on the Exam. Also have to remember to take my Passport and Licence to the event (and copies for them and the Logbook of the World (LOTW)).

When I got home tonight, the paperwork for my new callsign had arrived.

So listen out for 2EØTZO which will be my callsign until I pass the Advanced Licence Exam!