The Club of Friendship
�

�

�

Between UK and Russian Radio Amateurs

G4BAS * RK3AWP

The Club of Friendship was founded in 1987 by English radio amateur Ken Norvall (G3IFN), who was its first President.

� The aims of the Club were:

  • establishment of friendly relations between radio amateurs, particularly those who served on the 'Russian convoys'� during World War 2.
  • exchanging letters, information and visits
  • help with on-air language (English and Russian) for communication, etc.
  • occasional newsletters for members
  • on-air round tables

The club's name is kept alive in remembrance of the World War 2 radio operators on the Russian and British convoy ships which took supplies between England and the Northern part of Russia.� The majority of original members have now become silent keys, but their hobby continues.

The British contact is Howard, who will try and help you.

or by post to: Club of Friendship, 1 Tewkesbury Ave, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts., NG19 8LA, England.

�

���

This picture, taken in Moscow in May 1996, shows Howard Ketley (L) pictured with Jacob Kiselshtein (R), the Russian co-ordinator, at the Moscow State University Radio Club Station RZ3AZO).

Regrettably Jacob became a silent key in May, 1997.
This serves as a tribute to him.

�

���
�

In 1996 I spent three weeks in Moscow and two weeks in St.Petersburg, (end of May/early June), and would like to say a big thank you to all the Russians who made my my visit to their cities very memorable. Apart from visiting the major tourist attractions, I spent a lot of time visiting some not so common places, even spending some days 'teaching'' English in schools.

More interesting were the visits to the various club stations, including the Moscow State University station (situated in the highest point of the building with a wonderful view over Moscow); the Palace of Pioneers; the Institute of Radio and Television; and several 'local' club stations.

In these club stations I aired my Russian callsign, after receiving a license from the State Ministry of Radio and Communications. If you are thinking of visiting Russia, and operating, I will warn you that you getting a licence is not very easy, you have to be very patient and prepared to visit and wait in several offices all over Moscow.

Having visited Russia I was amazed by their warmth and hospitality, and look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones on the air.

In April, 1997, negotiations were started for the issuing of a reciprocal licence to Russian amateurs visiting the UK. When more information is available, it will be posted here. Three years later, no real progress has been made.

September 2000.� Advance notification from the Radio Agency that Russian Radio Amateurs will be able to apply for a reciprocal license.

Thank you very much for reading these pages.

Howard Ketley

President and UK Chairman

G1JGY, G4BAS, R1/G1JGY, R3/G1JGY, R3/G4BAS

Please visit my charity pages.

Memorial pages to the crew of� - THE KURSK
 the Russian Submarine which 'died' on August 12, 2000
Several members were radio amateurs, and radio operators.

kickin 4 kidz Radio Amateur Relief Expeditions
�

STOP PRESS . Large Database of Russian Radio Amateurs . Email for details of a callsign . . .

 �

�
Affiliated to the �

�

Radio Society of Great Britain

�