The amateur radio (ham) community in Anguilla has welcomed five (5) new members to its ranks. Proudly collecting their licenses to legally operate on the amateur radio frequencies, as is legislated by the Government of Anguilla and sanctioned by the Switzerland- based International Telecommunications Union (ITU), were Jeremy Richards (VP2EJR), Vernon Hodge (VP2EVH), Mitch Meade (VP2EML), Louis Bryan (VP2EEL) and the lone woman Jasmine Connor (VP2EJA).
The new ham radio operators participated in three months of intensive training at the club house of the Anguilla Amateur Radio Society (AARS) – Ruthwill Scouts and Guides Headquarters – in The Valley, just across from the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB).
The participants were tutored in the fundamentals of amateur radio communication including basic electronics, antenna building, local and international telecommunication regulations and on air operating procedures.
Throughout the training programme the radio club requested and was granted permission by the Telecommunications Officer, Mr Damien Harrigan, for the trainees to operate on the VHF amateur radio band.
The training programme was conducted by senior ham radio operators: Larry Stott (VP2EL), James Willock (VP2EDJ), Elrick Paul (VP2EP), Teddy Edwards (VP2ETE) and Keith ‘Stone’ Greaves (VP2EKG).
The new ham radio operators were formally welcomed to the fraternity last Saturday night during a social event, and general meeting, held at the home of veteran ham radio operator and pioneer, Quincy Harrigan (VP2EQH) in Old Ta.
The Anguilla Amateur Radio Society, a registered not for profit organization, has conducted several training exercises for interested individuals in the community in the last five years. The amateur radio club members work closely with the Department of Disaster Management, the Anguilla Red Cross and other agencies in providing back up communications in the event of a disaster and/or emergency on the island.
The radio club has been in existence since the mid-1970s. General meetings are normally held once a month at its club house and amateur radio station in The Valley.
