"Exercise Blue Ham" on 5 megs, Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th March; air cadets

[John Gumb]

Folks,

For 5MHz enthusiasts, it's "Exercise Blue Ham" https://alphacharlie.org.uk/exercise-blue-ham/ on Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th March 2025 0900 to 1800 LOCAL (UK).

Then, upcoming: 21st and 22nd June 2025.

It's a very friendly and fun event and presents a unique opportunity to communicate with our armed forces, specifically air cadets. It's interesting as the form of a military contact is rather more structured than an amateur contact. The exchange includes your Maidenhead locator, your equipment and antenna and a signal report. Also, it provides a great illustration of propagation on 5MHz. The official website does note "It is requested that Amateur radio operators don’t adopt the ‘Cadets’ radio procedure but maintain their own personal amateur radio style of operating." If you are not familiar with the event then best bet is, as ever, have a listen for a short while then have a go.

A new addition looks like "ice breaker" - see website for details.

If you have a military ("green") set then it's an excellent opportunity to use it! You will receive a particularly warm welcome. A humble PRC-320 (circa 15 watts) will stand it's ground amazingly well against many who will be running "100 watts".

As it's on 5 megs/60 metres, only full licensees can take part but for all foundation/intermediate license holders out there,  getting on to 5MHz is generally is a very good reason to progress to your "full" as it's a great band (not unnoticed by the military).

https://www.m0plt.me.uk/blueham.php  is well worth a look - provides context around the official RAF site above.

73

John

G4RDC

[John Gumb]

Folks,

Apologies for the short notice. This one crept up on me.

For 5MHz enthusiasts, it's "Exercise Blue Ham" https://alphacharlie.org.uk/exercise-blue-ham/ on Saturday 21st June and Sunday 22nd June 2025. Times are not listed as far as I can see but it is usually between 9am and 5pm (ish) local time when run over a weekend.