Young radio amateur aspires to make Moonbounce contact

Amateur radio is a family affair for Martin de Heaver, G4WSW and his son Oliver, M7ITL. Oliver first became interested in amateur radio when he and his dad set up an antenna on the Pewsey Downs Hills and listened to an ARISS contact. The contact, last October, was between the International Space Station (ISS) and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh who was with 100 Brownies, Guides and Rangers at the Brooklands Museum in Surrey.

Since then, Oliver, who was aged seven at the time, has passed his Foundation licence exam. He has also taken part in ARDF and participated in SSTV events with the ISS. Oliver and his dad have also visited the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park and took part in the ‘Find the Spy Transmitter’ event for Father’s Day.

Oliver’s current challenge is studying for his RSGB Morse Certificate of Competency test, which he hopes to take in September. However, his ultimate goal is to be able to communicate with his grandparents in Japan via Moonbounce. For this, he requires his Full licence, which he hopes to study for and pass during 2026.

Wishing you all the best Oliver!

Category: Your stories