Mobile? Portable?

[AshtonMobileScanner]

Im a new to the ham radio hobby ive recently passed my exam and im waiting on my validation material from ofcom so i can get my callsign. After listening to repeaters and simplex contacts ive heard people say m6*** mobile and m6*** portable whats the difference as its confusing.

I know mobile is when your away from your station address with a handheld or mobile unit in a car but whats portable?

Thanks guys

[2E0YGG]

They actually teach this on the foundation course. So I'm not sure how you've passed without knowing.

Portable = Static but not at home address.
Mobile = Mobile

[kr0ne]

Usually /portable is used when you are semi-permanently set up at another location (i.e. a temporary installation) and /mobile is used when you are moving around.

Check the terms of the license - which you can actually view before you get your own:

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/ ... ence07.pdf

Page 14

[AshtonMobileScanner]

I didnt do the course i just did the exam

[pterodaktyl]

The logic for which suffix to use goes something like this:

Are you at your registered station address? If yes, no suffix needed.

If not, are you at another location with a postal address (ie. a friends house)? If yes, use the suffix /A (alternative).

If not, can you and your transmitting equipment move around and continue transmitting? If yes, use the suffix /M (mobile).

If not, use the suffix /P (portable).

[kr0ne]

I'm not sure how you've passed without knowing.

Probably because:

1. There is no guarantee that any particular question will be asked.

2. The pass mark is not 100%.

Give him a break, questions are good.

I just had a flick through the Foundation NOW! book and I have to say that the answer to this question didn't exactly jump out at me...

Perhaps you could point AshtonMobileScanner towards the relevant section of the book so that he can read it over again? That would certainly be far more helpful than telling a new member of the fraternity that you don't think he should have a license...

[Kaos]

I didnt do the course i just did the exam

WHAT?

Somebody will be along in a minute give you the rundown on all you missed.

Dont bother with GOOGLE, BOOKS or going to your local club.

Just sit back and let others do YOUR work.

Just an after thought. Your not that 5 yr old that passed are you?

[AshtonMobileScanner]

Thanks kr0ne

[AshtonMobileScanner]

No im not the 5year old that passed im older than that thank you very much im actually 24

[Kaos]

No im not the 5year old that passed im older than that thank you very much im actually 24

...with access to google and the internet and amazon.co.uk in or to buy books to read up on any given subject.

[AshtonMobileScanner]

Yeah but isnt a radio forum about radios and helping others. Are you licenced or just a cb user who uses excessive power :@

[thedeerhunter270]

/p or /m is optional.

[Farty]

It's rare these days this any club or authorised examining organisation will let someone sit it until they've completed the syllabus especially as you're supposed to complete the (very basic) supervised live-on-air sessions first.

I'm pleased you passed, but even so you might find the 'Foundation Licence Now' book of interest to fill in these gaps.

Good luck - I can remember my first QSO. Twas on 2M and once I advised the other OP this was my first QSO there was a new pile up of other ops falling over themselves to speak to me. To this day I'm grateful to them all.

[kr0ne]

/p or /m is optional.

Good point!

[AshtonMobileScanner]

Ive got a few hams over here on the local repeater who cant wait to have a qso with me on the repeater or make a qso via s20