Antenna Removal Takes Away Amateur Life

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Ray Pratt, 92, says Stockton Council has told him to take down the poles which enable him to continue his hobby speaking to people around the world.

A disabled amateur radio enthusiast says his local council has "taken away my life" by telling him to take down poles which allow him to pursue his cherished hobby. Ray Pratt, 92, has made friends with fellow radio users all over the world for more than four decades.

But the wheelchair user says this vital link could now be severed as Stockton Council would not let him keep the two poles supporting an antenna in his back garden. No neighbours put objections in to the widower and great-grandfather's planning application.

But the council rejected it, saying the slim metal 10m and 7.5m "masts" outside his bungalow were clearly visible over fences, from gardens and above rooftops. Planning officers argued the structures were "lightweight and slender" but 3.7m taller than the bungalows.

Media Story - https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/amateur-radio-enthusiast-says-council-32479413

ARRL Section Manager Nomination Results

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Below are the results of our recent Section Manager nomination period for the term beginning 1st January 2026, and declared elected, with no opposition:

New Section Managers

  • Michigan – Ralph Katz, AA8RK

  • Santa Barbara – Keith Elliott, W6KME

Continuing

  • Alabama – Dennis Littleton, K4DL

  • Alaska – David Stevens, KL7EB

  • Delaware – Steven Keller, KC3DSO

  • East Bay – Mike Patterson, N6JGA

  • Kansas – Ron Cowan, KBØDTI

  • New Mexico – Bill Mader, K8TE

  • Tennessee – David Thomas, KM4NYI

  • Western Massachusetts – Ray LaJoie, AA1SE

A Radio Homecoming, One Century Later

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A Radio Homecoming, One Century Later

Australia, where, for a few hours, one radio operator is returning ham radio to the former home of the first lady of radio in the state of Victoria. 

Elizabeth Hutchings, VK3HM, had the distinction of being the first YL licensed as an amateur radio operator in the state of Victoria, Australia. Radio apparently was in the family's genes -- in the 1920s, her son Alan held the callsign VK3HL and her daughter, Marjorie, was licensed as VK3HQ. 

Some 100 years later, on the Callawadda land where the family's old radio shack still stands, Geoff Smart, VK3GCM, is putting amateur radio back into action. He chose this property, known as Bryn Avon, as his QTH for the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's annual competition. Geoff knew Bryn Avon from commercial consultancy work he had done, but he only learned of its connection to ham radio after reading an article by ALARA historian Jennifer Wardrop VK3WQ.

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