Ernest Jardine - Liverpool Marine Office - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alf · 5th Sep 2014, 1:45 am

In the early 1980s when I was first licenced as a G8, my next step was to learn and acquaint myself with the Morse code in order to operate on frequencies lower than 144MHz. After several months of learning it, I decided to go to the Liverpool Marine Office to take the Morse test. Thankfully, I didn't have to go there again, I passed. During that time of learning, I'd heard many tales of the infamous Mr. Jardine, the official examiner. He was regarded as a fair, but fierce Morse test examiner, one wrong move without correcting the mistake was a failure. I can remember some folks from around here going over to Mablethorpe to take the test, avoiding Liverpool, anyway, I came across this website with a bit of a tale or so, Ernest Jardine is pictured, wonder if anyone remembers him?

russell_w_b · 5th Sep 2014, 8:20 am

Interesting stuff: thanks for posting.

In June '84, I took my Morse test at Portpatrick, but it was not Ernie Jardine who did it. I can't remember the chap's name, but he was very good. He asked if I'd like a 'practice go' first, so I said 'yes'.

'Sending or receiving?'

'I'll receive first, please' (get it over with -I found sending easier).

'OK, lad. That was fine. Now send me some', passing me a book to send the described text from.

'Right - you've passed!' And that was it! Put me right at ease, it did. I'd actually heard Cullercoats was the strictest place to take the test.

I wonder if Ernie Jardine has any relations in West Cumberland? I know a large family of Jardines and it's a local name in Workington. I'll ask Phil Jardine, a lad I know, and see if he knows.

5th Sep 2014, 1:45 am	#1
Alf Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 479	Ernest Jardine - Liverpool Marine Office In the early 1980s when I was first licenced as a G8, my next step was to learn and acquaint myself with the Morse code in order to operate on frequencies lower than 144MHz. After several months of learning it, I decided to go to the Liverpool Marine Office to take the Morse test. Thankfully, I didn't have to go there again, I passed. During that time of learning, I'd heard many tales of the infamous Mr. Jardine, the official examiner. He was regarded as a fair, but fierce Morse test examiner, one wrong move without correcting the mistake was a failure. I can remember some folks from around here going over to Mablethorpe to take the test, avoiding Liverpool, anyway, I came across this website with a bit of a tale or so, Ernest Jardine is pictured, wonder if anyone remembers him?

5th Sep 2014, 8:20 am	#2
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Ernest Jardine - Liverpool Marine Office Interesting stuff: thanks for posting. In June '84, I took my Morse test at Portpatrick, but it was not Ernie Jardine who did it. I can't remember the chap's name, but he was very good. He asked if I'd like a 'practice go' first, so I said 'yes'. 'Sending or receiving?' 'I'll receive first, please' (get it over with -I found sending easier). 'OK, lad. That was fine. Now send me some', passing me a book to send the described text from. 'Right - you've passed!' And that was it! Put me right at ease, it did. I'd actually heard Cullercoats was the strictest place to take the test. I wonder if Ernie Jardine has any relations in West Cumberland? I know a large family of Jardines and it's a local name in Workington. I'll ask Phil Jardine, a lad I know, and see if he knows. __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.