DARTMOOR Radio Club held a successful rally on spring bank holiday Monday in Tavistock College — more than 300 eager radio amateur enthusiasts turned up and the rooms were buzzing!

Sixteen traders and eight amateur radio groups were displaying their products and club activities. The highlight of the rally was the arrival of the team from Practical Wireless, publishers of two nationwide magazines, Practical Wireless and Radio User.

The editor Rob Mannion was born at the stationmaster's house in Tavistock, and with Ron Hooper founded the amateur radio club at the station.

As well as the traders, clubs were well represented. There were displays from repeater groups in Mid Cornwall, West Devon and Caradon — the repeaters are used by amateurs using VHF and UHF frequencies, much in the same way as we all rely on mobile phone masts.

Also the national co-ordinator for amateurs, the Radio Society of Great Britain was present, as well as three local clubs.

This was the 25th annual Rally held by Dartmoor Radio Club. The event has mushroomed from its early beginnings, running in Princetown, then to Yelverton, the Pannier Market in Tavistock and now happily in bigger premises at the college. It is a chance for amateurs to meet up and put a face to a name, as many of us do not get to see their airwave friends.

To become a licensed amateur, people need to study first for a foundation licence and Callington Amateur Radio Club is providing these courses.

Dartmoor Radio Club meets on the first Thursday of the month at Yelverton Memorial Hall, Yelverton at 7.30pm. It also holds regular transmission days throughout the year at Lamerton Village Hall in the winter and on Cox Tor in the summer. The club welcomes visitors to its meetings.

It also holds regular 'chats' on air on Mondays at 7pm on 3.720Mhz and on Thursday evenings on 145.762Mhz using the PL Repeater. Many people start as Short Wave listeners then progress to take their licence exam.

Further details from Viv Watson, secretary, on 01752 823427.