Welcome to the website of

GØFEA

About Me - Keith Hotchkiss



Licenced in England since 1985 with the call sign G1LJX (B Class licence) and since 1986 with the call sign GØFEA (A Class/Advanced). In 1985 to progress from VHF and UHF to HF all B Class licence holders were required to pass the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) morse examination. The test required all candidates to recieve and transmit morse competently to a minimum speed of 12WPM. The requirement for a morse test was removed in July 2003.

In my spare time I have volunted as an operator and guide at the National Radio Center based in the famous Bletchley Park, call sign GB3RS.

The National Radio Centre is a showcase for radio communications technology and the main work station for the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

The centre provides the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with the history and technology of radio communications. From the first inventors in the late 19th Century through to future radio developments, visitors will find films, interactive displays, hands on experiments and even the opportunity to “go on air” in our state of the art amateur radio station. Visitors who hold an amateur radio licence are welcome to operate the station for a short while if circumstances permit. If you are in the UK or a visitor then take a trip to this excellent museum.

I also enjoy running and taking part in special event stations and have run several over the years including GB2SJA (St John Ambulance). GB4MPS (Mendlesham Primary School). GB3SCS (Sudbury Cub Scouts), to list a few.

Operating on D-Star via UK repeaters and my own local hotspot, click on the logo to see when I was last transmitting on the D-Star network and via which repeater, hotspot or node.



GØFEA (DTMF 8864)

GØFEA-B (433MHz DVmega hotspot)

GØFEA-C (144MHz GMSK hotspot)

Other call signs held:

GRØFEA - Special Temporary Call Sign (Royal Wedding 2011)

Operating between 29th April and the 9th May 2011 a NoV (Notice of licence Variation) has been issued to a number of UK radio Amateurs to signify the marriage of H.R.H. Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. 

GRØFEA - Special Temporary Call Sign (Royal Wedding 2018)

Operating between 19th May and the 21st May 2018 a NoV (Notice of licence Variation) has been issued to a number of UK radio Amateurs to signify the marriage of H.R.H. Prince Harry and Miss Megan Markle. 

GQØFEA - Special Temporary Call Sign (Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012) and (Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022)

Operating between 5th May and the 10th June 2012 a NoV (Notice of licence Variation) has been issued to mark the diamond jubilee of the accession of Her Majesty The Queen. 

GOØFEA - Special Temporary Call Sign (London Olympics & Paralympics 2012)

Operating between 21st July and the 9th September 2012 a NoV (Notice of licence Variation) has been issued to mark the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. 

I also hold three additional NoV (Notice of licence Variation) to permit experimental transmissions in the frequency ranges of:

70.5 MHz and 71.5 MHz. 146 MHz and 147 MHz. 2300 MHz and 2302 MHz.

I am active on APRS on VHF and also on D-Star, which provides realtime tracking and data transfer. To view my APRS activity station click on the logo.



GØFEA (APRS via D-Star IC-2820 and Yaesu Fusion FT1XD)

GØFEA-5 (APRS via iPhone)

GØFEA-9 (APRS via 144.800MHz FM)

GØFEA-H (APRS via D-Star ID-51E)