A small group of enthusiasts were experimenting in the town as early as 1920 and following the renewed surge in the hobby after the Second World War, Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society took to the air in 1958.

All but one of the founders have joined the ranks of 'silent keys' and passed away – the sole surviving member being former Melton registrar Richard Winters (who is pictured on the right in the late Fifties).

Membership (ranging from students to pensioners) currently totals 70 – including several ladies – and most are holders of amateur radio licences.

Meetings are still held monthly and the programme of events for the current season is displayed on the society website www.melton-mowbray-ars.org.uk giving details of the venue and times, together with other information as to the weekly radio Nets and other events.

The society is holder of the call signs G4FOX and G7FOX – significant in that Melton Mowbray was the renowned centre of fox hunting in England.

The late Doug Lilley – call sign G3FDF and one of the founders – was equally proud of his own call sign, phonetically pronounced Fox Dog Fox, for the same reason.
The society has a dedicated group of contest-minded members and a fully-equipped modern mobile station. Support is also given to Raynet – originally known as The Radio Amateur Emergency Network – supporting the emergency services in times of need.

An amateur radio club at King Edward VII School was born from an idea arising within the society – call sign MØMKE – with the aim of encouraging pupils to develop their interest in radio.

The society's gearing up to celebrate it's Golden Jubilee and will be holding a weekend of radio demonstrations at the South Melton Community Centre in Dalby Road over the weekend of August 16 and 17 from 10am to 8pm on the Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on the Sunday.

Spokesman Peter Treadwell, a member of King Edward's support stuff and a radio enthusiast for more than 15 years, said: "Come along and see amateur radio in action, take the microphone and talk around the world, see today's radio hams enjoying their hobby and learn how you can join them."

* For further information about the society and amateur radio call Geoffrey Griffiths (01664) 480733 or e-mail g3stg@btinternet.com

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