Radio fan Gregory tunes into success

Radio fan Gregory tunes into success

A 16-year-old RGS student is celebrating a major personal achievement after successfully earning his amateur radio licence

Gregory Bishop, from near Boroughbridge, who is studying A-level chemistry, physics and maths, passed his licence exam last week after months of dedicated study.

He has now officially been assigned the call sign M7VGF, allowing him to operate amateur radio equipment and communicate with others across the globe.

Drawn in by the physics behind the hobby and the opportunity to connect with other amateur radio operators worldwide, he quickly developed a strong interest after discovering amateur radio last summer as part of the skills section of his gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“To gain the licence, I had to learn about radio regulations, wave physics, and how to safely operate electronic equipment,” Gregory explained. “I then sat a 26-question exam, where I needed at least 19 correct answers to pass.”

With his foundation licence granted by Ofcom, Gregory can now transmit on frequencies ranging from 30kHz to 440MHz, with a power output of up to 25 watts.

Beyond academics, Gregory is actively involved in a range of extracurricular activities, including karate and Scouting. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering or nuclear physics after completing sixth form.

He is also a member of the Ripon and District Amateur Radio Society (RADARS), a local group that meets weekly in a World War II bunker beneath Ripon Town Hall. Members share knowledge, discuss projects, and take part in national and international events such as Bunkers On The Air.

The club currently has 21 members, with around 7–12 attending each session and is now encouraging new members of all experience levels to get involved.

Anyone interested in joining RADARS can attend meetings at Ripon City Hall on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm.

Gregory says he is excited to continue developing his skills: “I really enjoy both the technical side and the chance to speak to people who share the same passion. I’m looking forward to going further with it.”

His achievement highlights how combining academic interests with hands-on activities can open doors to exciting opportunities—both locally and around the world.