THE next bank holiday will be a busy one for members of the Dartmoor Radio Club, which will be holding its 26th spring rally at Tavistock College.

There will be many traders and stalls at the event on Monday May 3, and a team from Practical Wireless, the publishers of two nationwide magazines, Practical Wireless and RadioUser, will be attending.

The editor Rob Mannion, who was born at the station master's house in Tavistock, will also be coming.

A spokesperson for the club said: 'There is a huge diversity of activities in amateur radio and the rally offers visitors a huge range of electronic, computing and technical equipment for purchase.

'Prices are keen and because it's a rally, traders offer really good discounts.

'There is always a good bring and buy section, and here both the beginner and the experienced can pick up bargains at really good prices.

'As well as the traders, clubs will be well represented.

'We are very pleased that Tavistock Dartmoor Mountain Rescue will be coming and telling us about their activities. Also there will be 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 will be represented, as well as three local clubs.

To become a licensed amateur, students need to study first for a foundation licence‚ courses for this are being run by Callington Amateur Radio Club.

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

The spokesperson said: 'We are always pleased to welcome visitors to our meetings.

'Also we hold regular chats on air on Mondays at 7pm on 3.720Mhz and on Thursday evenings on 145.7875 Mhz using the JL Repeater.

'Many people start as short wave listeners and then progress to take their licence exam.'

Anyone interested in finding out more is welcome to attend the rally, or contact Viv Watson, Dartmoor Radio Club secretary on 01752 823427 or go to http://www.radioclubs.net/g1rcd">www.radioclubs.net/g1rcd