Castle Rushen High School operated a special radio station to celebrate youth on the air and had contact with other radio hams from around the world.

Archie Elliott, aged 14, a member of the school radio club said the global reach is part of the appeal.

’I am drawn to amateur radio because it allows me to contact people around the globe using a radio rather than the internet,’ he said.

Contact with radio stations in Europe and Africa spread across the Atlantic to the US as the day progressed and states in the east woke up.

Ironically at a time when communication has never been easier, part of the appeal is the greater challenge of radio contact.

Popular

’In my opinion, radio is preferable to the internet because nothing is instant and you have to work to make contact with people,’ Archie added.

’Also, you can talk to people who are new and it helps to keep alive this popular hobby, which is quite popular on the island and we have our own repeater network.’

The technical side also appeals to Archie.

’I can also build my own equipment which you never know when it will come in useful,’ he said.

’Another aspect of radio that I enjoy is the contests, where the aim is to contact as many other amateurs as possible.’

Archie recently obtained an advanced licence for amateur radio transmitting (administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain and assisted by teacher Andy Dorman) said his amateur interest could fire future study and perhaps profession.

’Radio does inspire me to do more reading into communications and helps me with aspects of physics greatly as the course covers all of the circuitry specifications.

’It can also help me in the future if I want to go into a technical job field.

’As I now hold a full licence I can transmit from any country which is in the CEPT agreement and will allow me to travel and transmit around the world.

’Again none of this would have been possible without our school IT technician Andy Dorman who has helped us and our club members to pass their exams.’