Job Discussion Forums

[tmac-100]

Now that I understand that I can learn Arabic in RAK (while I will be teaching at HCT), I wonder if there are Ham (Amateur) Radio operators in RAK. My call sign is VE4ZD.

Also, I like touring by bicycle and spent July-August going across Northern OZ from Cairns to Darwin along mostly dirt roads. I have no intention of doing that in the UAE but wonder what bicycling is like (for exercise) in the RAK area? Safe on side roads? Should I bicycle only during the day or is it OK at night when cooler? Are there and triathelon/ironman clubs?

Thanks.

Ken Pisichko
Canada

[helenl]

There are other Ham radio operators in the UAE - the only one I know of specifically is in Abu Dhabi. I'm not an operator myself, a friend at home is and apparently the guy in Abu Dhabi is quite "popular" amongst ham radio operators as one of the activities is to collect as many responses from as many different operators in as many countries as possible?? Or, at least I think that's how it works.

Just an FYI Ken - the powers that be at HCT do look at these boards regularly.

Cycling for sport/pleasure is something that isn't done on a regular basis here in the UAE - however, there are cycling clubs in Dubai and in Fujairah that do go out en masse to train on the highways, they usually have a police escort and at least 2 support vehicles to prevent them from being literally blown off the road by the manic drivers (unfortunately, these are in the vast majority on the roads here). Most people who ride bicycles do so because it is the only mode of transportation available to them and they take their life in their hands (or handlebars) every time they go out. RAK may provide some quieter areas, especially on Friday mornings when you can venture out - but the RAK citizenry can answer that more specifically. BTW the Fujairah cycling group often seems to use the highway between RAK and Fujairah for their training runs so there may be an opportunity for you there. Cycling at night is recommended IMHO only if you have a death wish.

Dubai has a triathalon club - you may be able to find them by doing a search. There was a recent article in the Gulf News about their participation in the Iron Man in Hawaii.

Regards

[tmac-100]

Thank you for the information.

I can find the ham radio operator's name and address by going to the world-wide callsign catalogue. It will be useful to find out how to obtain a radio operator's license for the UAE.

Also, thank you for the information on bicycling. Yes, I understand that bicycling is risky - been there, done that. I am just looking for alternate forms of getting some exercise and not for getting inexpensive transportation. The exercise will be useful for the times when I leave the UAE between school years for instance and get into some bicycle tour....