Calling CQ – a ham radio enthusiast is seeking like-minded people in Thames to form a new club.
Alex Makinson is never spotted around town without a handheld radio or four at his belt.
The 34-year-old is well-known around Thames, having featured on the TV show Down For Love last year.
He has been a fan of all things electronic for most of his life, but his special interest is amateur radio, also known as ham radio.
Alex has been a licenced amateur radio operator since July, 2012, after discovering two-way radio at the age of 14.
“One Easter I was in Taupo… I went to the Dick Smith shop with my dad and I saw in the window of the walkie-talkie cabinet a police scanner for sale and I had to get my hands on it, and that’s how my interest in radio sprung,” Alex recalled.
“He bought the police scanner for me later on that year, 2004, 20 years ago and later on after getting that I got a pair of these little DSC D1793 pocket communicator value pack 40 channel walkie-talkies.”
Alex’s love of radio grew, and soon he found ham radio, joining a club in Hamilton.
“In 2005 when I went to my dad’s for that weekend a fellow ham popped around and visited me, and brought his handheld. He gave it to me to have a look at. I didn’t have a licence then of course [but] I wore it on my belt pretending to be a cop,” Alex said.
“That’s when my interest of amateur radio added to the interest of radio.”
Alex speaks to people all over the world, using his unique call sign to identify himself to people as far away as the United Kingdom, he said. Most of his conversations centre around the hobby itself – how long they’ve been involved and what they get up to.
“You can make new friends, talk around the world and join different clubs.”
Now, Alex wants to find local enthusiasts. He’s already connected with five or six people in Thames who participate in the hobby, Alex said.
“I’m looking at establishing a new club in Thames, bringing those people together,” he said.
“I just want to introduce new people to the hobby. Because I’ve been asked to promote the hobby by a fellow ham, so I’m trying to do that.”
And for Alex, who has a high-functioning autism disorder formerly known as Asperger’s syndrome, the hobby is also an opportunity for inclusiveness.
“I want more special needs people in the hobby as well,” he said.
“People who are enthusiasts. I’d like to go around the special needs schools, or the schools with special needs units and get them involved as well.”
DETAILS: To get involved or find out more about ham radio, contact Alex on 027 853 3351.
