Our Mission has always been from the outset to create something that an Amateur Radio enthusiast could easily use at 'no direct financial cost' to themselves.
It is to provide a set of tools to help communication and provide/share information with other Ham users.

Creating an online Video Chat room was part of that ethos and has been working well based on the Google Meet platform which has been funded at a monthly cost by us for the past few years, but we are now trying to reduce costs and improve the service; hence the switch over to a Teams platform for a fresh start.

For a while now we have also run a Amateur Radio "Community Group" using the Teams application.
This provides a lot of extra capabilities to bring together people around the
common interest of Amateur Radio.

Our diverse community ensures that you'll encounter different perspectives and learn about various ideas.
We encourage open-mindedness and a positive demeanor to foster a pleasant atmosphere for all users.

So, join us and let's embark on a journey of friendship and meaningful connections in this chatroom. If there is no-one in the room why not hang about for a while to see if someone will pop up to join you.

Feel free to express yourself, but always be respectful towards others.

All are welcome and we request that you behave with respect the way you would on radio.

Notes and Guidance for using a Chatroom

Any questions, suggestions, or ideas on how to make this better can be sent to us via the contact page

• Do I need to install the "Teams" app to use the room ?
  NO. It will work like Google Meet and other Web based systems, in that you can just use a Browser.
  
  Having said that having the 'Teams App' installed together with a Teams Account will make your use simpler/better and also give you for example the opportunity to join our existing "Community Group" and is our recommended approach if you want to use it long term.
  
  It also means that you no longer need to go through a web site to join the video chat you can do it directly from the Teams app, making joining and using a lot easier and more part of "The Team".
  

• How do I get Started with Teams Application ? Click here for Web Page

  
  Straight forward, in that you signup for an Free Microsoft account (you may already have one which you can use) and then just download the app, sign-in and away you go.
  

  
  

• Can I use the Open Video Room and not the

  
  Sure. The aspects are completely separate from a user point of view and you decide which bits you use.
  
  

• What if I get Spam/'Chat Requests' From people I do not know ?
  
  Like in many other online systems, if you don't know who you are talking with then delete the request for chat and if required block them also. Some of these can happen with the integration of Skype Chats coming over to Teams.E.g. they were Spam over there and have migrated over to Teams when you sync contacts etc.
  One other option is to create a 'new' Microsoft account just for this communication (no Skype integration as it is empty) and use this new account just for this video chat community etc. (You can have many Microsoft free accounts if required/needed)

  If you need help with the above get in touch and we will try and resolve these issues.
  
  

• Why not use Skype for this type of communication ?

  Because Skype is being withdrawn from use by Mircosoft in May 2025.
  Most of the Skype features will be moving into Microsoft Teams over time making it a good choice going forward from a support point of view.

Questions & Answers:

Hints & Guides on how to get the best experience from "Teams" (Using the Application version)

The basic control for the video chat are at the top of the screen window as shown below

• Chat - Shows the chat window where you can share messages/text

• People shows the people in the chat together with Account name if known.

• Raise - Raise Hand to request to talk if someone is busy in discussion

• React - some animated icons to reflect what someone is saying

• View - Change the layout if there are lots of users in the video window chat

• More - Extra options to change background and extra bits etc.

One of the basic things to get started is to have the right Microphone, Speakers and Camera devices setup.

This is done in the App under the "Setting" option and clicking on "Devices" - Note these might be different to the normal audio setup you have for your PC.
The alternative is to use the drop down lists next to the Camera/Mic icons.

Whilst in a Video call it is also possible to change the Speakers and Microphone in use by using the "Drop Down" icon on the "Mic" button at the top of the video call window.
The same applies with the drop down next to the Camera which allows you to change the camera being used.

If you find the size of text in the "Chat" windows too small to read then you can adjust the size using the Zoom Control.
This applies to all windows

You can adjust the First & Last name on you Microsoft/Teams 'account' to add in CallSign or how you wish your name/identification to be displayed.
Just click on your Icon top Right and select the edit (pencil) option.
You can adjust your shown image the same way, just click to edit/upload with a new image.

"How to Link"

Be aware that changing this can take a long time to reflect though to all the different parts of the Teams system/windows.

One of the basic functions of Teams is the ability to Message(text), phone or video call with another Teams user of Group of users.

These methods of communication with users is done via the "Chat" feature which selected in the App on the left hand side of the window as shown here.
Select this and then decide on who you want to communicate with.
Previous 'chats' you have had will also appear to continue any chat with any Teams user from you previous activity.

NOTE: The 'video window' has a linked 'chat window' which has its own specific thread for users and can be accessed by the Chat Button at the top of the 'Video' chat window.

To start a chat connection with someone "New" then use the button as shown above to start a new thread conversation with the selected Teams user.

You can lookup/search by Account name the user you wish to either Message, Call, or Video chat with.

Once that chat has been setup it will appear as a previous chat option in the left hand side pane of the display.

When you want to join the "Open Chat Room" it is possible to see who are already in the video chat.

Clicking on the Chat for the "Amateur Radio Video room" from the selection pane will then show the chat for the room as well as a group of user Circles/Icons at the top indicating who is already in the room. Space is limited so when lots of users are on it will show a 'plus <number>'

If no one is in the room you can still join and hopefully someone will be along soon to join you in the video call. Sending out a 'CQ msg' (Simple line of text) in the chat window might also trigger people who have Teams open to join you. (see 'Getting the Best from Teams' below.)

How to get the Best from the Teams app

Teams is an application that once installed sits in the background of your PC/Mac listening for any audio or video calls/messages from other Teams Friends or Family users.

It is very like having WhatsApp or Skype in the background and you will be notified if someone posts a message or wants to talk with you.
The control and how notification work for the individual user is self configurable to suit how and when you get notifications etc. Eg. Chat information can be Emailed when you are not logged into Teams etc.

As a Background app (usually started on the PC at Login) it just sits out of the way util someone wants to talk with you on call; at which time you will get a customised ring tone on your PC and the option to answer or decline the call.
It also means that you can call other Teams users easily for Free.

Your individual 'status' in Teams plays a part in how and what notifications you get. Setting your status to Busy or Away or Offline will let other Teams users know that you cannot take calls at this time for example. Available means Online & ready to take/accept calls or messages.
So setting your 'Status' in the Teams app can help you get other things done without being disturbed. Your individual status changing from 'Available' to 'In a Call' is automatic and done as soon as you answer or make a call.

Change your Status here..
From list of choices

Other advantage of having Teams running in the background is for Messaging, in that if someone posts in the 'Chat' window of say the Open Video room, you will or can be notified of the post and give you a chance to respond to it.

The integrated set of facilities/tools that Teams provides helps the users manage how to get the best from the application and its open communication.

Teams also has the the ability to block callers if that becomes a problem for an individual user.

There are several other Good Practices Advice Tips which we will publish here soon.

This means that for example someone is in the Open Video Room alone they could post a 'CQ' type message (any text really) in the chat which other users will see via a notification, and that might trigger them to join the user in the video room also.
Be Patient  it may take a little while for users to respond to your call.

Click on your Identifier Icon top-right to bring up this display

Click the 'Chat Icon' to send Online Msg or Call us directly.