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Amateur Radio, like Freemasonry, is a universal hobby and the Radio Fraternity Lodge No 8040 was one of the earliest Special Interest Lodges to be formed, catering to licenced radio amateurs (or as we are known today ‘Radio Hams’) who have an interest in Freemasonry and radio communication. Our Lodge number 8040 represents the eighty and forty-meter shortwave radio bands that radio amateurs use to maintain countrywide (and indeed worldwide) radio communication with each other. 

Although we are a Metropolitan Lodge meeting at Great Queen Street in London, we regard ourselves as a national lodge, having members and visitors attending meetings from many parts of the United Kingdom and from overseas.

Distinguished Founder John Clarricoats OBE (Call Sign G6CL)

The Radio Fraternity Lodge No 8040 was Consecrated on Tuesday 23rd November 1965. Many famous Amateur Radio Station Call signs formed the bedrock of the Lodge and we, of the present generation, have come to regard their legacy with pride and affection. The beginnings were closely linked with the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) and the London Members Luncheon Club to which many of the famous Call signs were active officers and members.

The proposed Fraternity of Radio Amateurs was thought to be, at that time, the first in the world. The idea of a Lodge for radio amateurs first took root in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, but it was not until 1962 that the project was resurrected, and Radio Fraternity Lodge consecrated some twenty years after the idea was first put forward.  Lodge history recalls: “A strong reason made to the committee for establishing the new Lodge was that there did not exist, as far as was known then, any such fraternity in the world comprising radio amateurs. London received many foreign radio amateur visitors, some of whom are Masons, to whom they could extend the inviting hand of friendship.”

Among its distinguished Founders was John Clarricoats OBE (Call Sign G6CL), who had been full-time secretary of the Radio Society of Great Britain for thirty-two years until his retirement in 1963. He was both the first Master of the Lodge and subsequently its Secretary. As a mark of prestige, John was awarded with a special Past Master Jewel, made of precious metals to commemorate him being the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge.  

In recent years this jewel had gone missing presumed lost, but has recently been presented back to the Lodge by W Bro Frank Byrne. The jewel was found amongst the personal effects of the late W Bro JA Blundell, Call sign G3DBM, who was master of the Radio Fraternity Lodge in 1994.  The members of the Radio Fraternity Lodge thank W Bro Frank for his generous gift of the Primus Past Master’s jewel that will be treasured by all members of the Lodge.

Universal Hobbies for All

As with Freemasonry, amateur radio is a popular technical hobby. It uses designated radio frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communications. It is the only hobby governed by international treaty. As a radio amateur you are able to transmit radio signals on a number of radio frequency bands allocated specifically to radio amateurs globally.

There is no better way to explore the fascinating world of wireless communication than by becoming a radio amateur. People of all ages and backgrounds get into amateur radio. Whether you’re experienced in software, have an interest in electronics or coding, enjoy constructing or are looking for a sociable hobby, amateur radio has something for you. 

There are many ways to enjoy amateur radio, whatever your age, skills and interests. There’s always the chance to learn something new and challenge yourself. You don’t need to spend much on equipment (unless you want to!). 

Radio amateurs identify themselves using unique call signs. There is no status on the air and everyone you contact is an equal, whatever their level of experience.

Radio amateurs make use of their frequencies in a number of ways: They contact people all over the world by radio, which often leads to developing international friendships. For technical experimentation, note also that many of the leaps forward in radio technology have been initiated by radio amateurs.

Many compete in international competitions to test how effective their equipment is, and how good they are as an operator. We can communicate through amateur space satellites or even with the International Space Station (which carries an amateur radio station).

Radio amateurs also provide a crucial communication tool during disasters when conventional communications systems are damaged or unavailable due to hurricanes, earthquakes etc., supporting government and international aid agencies. 

The Only Lodge with a Call Sign – G5RFL

Since the Consecration of the Lodge, members have maintained a weekly communications ‘net’ every Sunday morning at 9am on the 80-metre band (3.757kHz). This 9 o’clock net is controlled by the Lodge Master during his year of office using the Lodge Call sign G5RFL, (RFL standing for Radio Fraternity Lodge).  This regular link provides the Almoner with up-to-date information about anyone who is unwell or otherwise in need of help. It has also been a golden rule that Freemasonry is not discussed over the air, and new members are told that the Lodge is not a radio club.

Sixtieth Anniversary Meeting

On Monday 1^st December 2025, the Radio Fraternity Lodge celebrates its sixtieth anniversary and for this special meeting we will be replacing the Master’s and Wardens’ gavels with morse (code) keys and sounders!

We would welcome visitors to our special meeting, licenced or not: you never know – this might just be the spark that gets you involved in another ‘universal’ hobby.

Please contact W. Bro Adrian Boyd G4LRP, Lodge secretary at   for further information about the Radio Fraternity Lodge and/or how to become a Radio Amateur.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine Issue 58 – Summer 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 58 here.

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