Chippenham & District Amateur Radio Club

CORONAVIRUS NOTICE: Due to the current COVID-19 situation club meetings are currently suspended. For the latest info, please visit our NEWS page.

Founded in 1966 by Bernard Wilson, Alan Hargreaves, Jim Sparrow and Philip Strand, we have been operating in Wiltshire for more than 50 years.

Originally located in the laboratory of Chippenham Boy’s School (now Sheldon School), we were issued the callsign G3VRE in October 1966 before moving to our long standing base at Chippenham Sea Cadets HQ in Long Close, Chippenham in the late 1970s. By 2018, the club had outgrown the dilapidated buildings it occupied and transitioned to it’s current home at Kington Langley Village Hall.

We strive to be a welcoming and inclusive space for all to come along and enjoy the hobby of Amateur Radio.

Our members are able to operate and use any of our radios including our YAESU FT990, ICOM 706 MKII, Yaesu FT450D (HF, 10 & 6m) or our Hytera MD785 (DMR radio). With a dedicated operating position in a quiet secluded area of the building, and with a dedicated computer terminal – this is the ideal space for a bit of DX or competition working.

Why get involved with Amateur Radio?

People join Amateur Radio for a number of reasons, some are into the technical side of the hobby and are keen builders of circuitry and even their own radios and antennas, whilst others might be more interested in operating radios for social or competitive reasons. Whatever your interests might be, you will not be alone as we have members from all walks of life, all in the hobby for their own reasons and with their own aims and objectives.

Whether you enjoy writing software, getting hands-on with practical equipment, developing new technology or simply want to use what’s already there to communicate with others across the world, you’ll find all of this – and more – within amateur radio. It is also great fun. Why don’t you try it?

We are fortunate to be able to offer support for people looking to develop their skills in particular areas, as several members willing to offer coaching, training or demonstrations in specialised subjects such as DMR, Morse Code or even help achieving the practical assessments required for the Foundation, Intermediate or Full Licence examinations. We are registered examination centre so we are able to also offer our site for sitting the exams.

Amateur radio is a hobby with so many aspects it can be hard to describe – and difficult to know what to try first! We’ve tried to give a taster of just some of the many exciting, challenging and fun things you can do with amateur radio. We’re planning to take a look at other parts of the hobby in the future – what’s your favourite?

Our Members range in age from school age through to pensioners. Some have had a background in radio (perhaps CB, PMR or similar) but many new members have never used a radio before. Whatever your situation is, if you are interested in starting a new and exciting hobby – please do come along.