RadCom April 2024, Vol. 100, No. 4

90 April 2024 The Last Word – Letters radcom@rsgb.org.uk announcer clearing catarrh halfway through the QSO followed by a final medley with a gurgling sound involving a bit of phlegm before it gets launched into the microphone. Does the above sound disgusting? Yes, it does but it precisely describes the behaviours happening right now across various frequencies and it seems to be a growing trend. Please, if you have to cough, splutter, gag or choke, let go of that PTT. ENCOURAGING ACTIVITY Andrew Cooper, 2E1BRT I’ve had chance to read the VHF column in the latest RadCom (March 2024). The comment by Gary, M7PWT is exactly right I feel. I agree. But as a 6m merchant, can I also suggest that the 6m band be included in any campaign to encourage activity? I live in rural East Yorkshire. Activity on the 6m band, both FM and SSB, is non-existent outside of the Sporadic-E season. Whilst there is more activity on the 2m band, it could still be a whole lot better. My local radio club, of which I’m not a member, do a sterling job of creating activity. They have nets on one of the local repeaters at least once a week. I think they hold more as well, but I’m not sure on that. Personally, I would take M7PWT’s most wonderful idea and extend it. Have, as he says, an operating hour – between 8pm and 9pm would be good. On a weekday would be good also. But also include weekend days as well for those of us who work during the week. In addition, hold these events on both the 6 and 2m bands. I am also reminded of the GB2RS News broadcasts on the 40m band. The news readers, as well as some of the regular listeners, take the time to run a pre-news net. And a post-news net. A similar sort of thing could be done for these activity hours. Appoint a volunteer. For example, each of the RSGB Regional Representatives or District Representatives could be a net controller. Just like the news readers on the 40m band do. For myself, I would certainly join in a 2m band net. But, as a 6m band merchant, my preference would be a 6m band SSB net every time! PROGRESS Ray Howes, G4OWY/G6AUW Yes (G4ALD, March 2024), “today’s frantic pace” can affect leisure time. And perhaps, Francis would agree with me that progress progresses too fast? But no matter which way the cake is cut, whether it be ham radio or whatever, technological progress, and the inevitable changes it brings forth, is now a constant facet of our everyday lives. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t tweak this fact to suit our own personal preferences. After all, it isn’t mandatory to be always keeping up with the cutting edge of technology. It’s still a voluntary act. A case of picking and choosing. And yes, for some people, it would be nice if the halcyon days of amateur radio never ended. Like Groundhog Day, the circle of life never changed from one day to the next. Although wistfully reliving the past is enjoyable for many of us ‘greybeards’, conjuring up what used to be, unfortunately we are all living in the now, not yesteryear. But of course, for a lot of people, living in the now is an exciting place to be. PACEMAKERS AND RF John Martin, MI0UFT I just recently had the unfortunate experience of having a pacemaker fitted, which should significantly improve the problems with my slow heart rate. In reference to interference to the pacemaker from radios, has any member been in a similar position as me? Would the radio outputs, possible RF or power levels interfere with the pacemaker? In the literature accompanying my discharge letter it emphasises possible appliances etc that could cause interference. One being, and I quote, “it’s not advisable to use a telephone/ mobile on your left ear.” This made me think about operating with my radio equipment. Would this come under this category? Because of my moderate hearing impairment, I mainly use the digital modes such as BPSK31, FT4/8 and Slow Scan TV. I occasionally use C4FM/FM on 144/430MHz. Depending on conditions, I would use phone occasionally on HF. My setup is as follows: IC-7600, 100W, with a Sharman AV-508 microphone; and a Yaesu FTM-400DR, 5-50W, with the standard Yaesu microphone. I would appreciate any information in relation to this query. THE SOLAR CYCLE John Raydo, K0IZ Back in July and August of 2022 I was fascinated by a two-part RadCom article about the solar cycle. The author, K4FMH, presented a scientific theory as replacement for the prevailing solar projection ‘guesstimate’. Now, some year and a half after publication, I note that the actual SSN [smoothed sunspot number] is very closely tracking his projection! Dr Howell is to be commended for his potentially “Scientific Revolution” and RadCom commended for making his work available to members. CONTEST COURTESY Paul Tuddenham, G3XFF I recently replied to a European station during a contest to be abruptly told “France only please.” I inferred that I had been heard. I didn’t realise this was a very specific event, and I accept that I made a mistake and will be more careful in future. However surely a quick signal report with a mention of the rules would have been much more appropriate to the spirit of our wonderful hobby? REMEMBERING PETER WINDLE, G8VG RSGB NRC Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB Anyone who has visited the NRC recently will have seen the interactive display commemorating the work of the Voluntary Interceptors (VIs) during WWII. Peter was instrumental in creating the Role of Honour, listing the names of some 1,200 VIs that he tirelessly researched whilst trying to find out more about his father’s involvement as a VI, after all the records of this secret work were destroyed. It was a privilege to be invited, as the NRC Coordinator, to speak at Peter’s Celebration of Life Ceremony recently. Peter was always a modest person, so what I learnt about him that day was truly enlightening.   Peter had worked as a British Diplomat for 33 years serving around the world in such places as Colombo, Karachi, Bombay, Kingston, Islamabad, Quito and Palma and was awarded an OBE for his services to the Crown in 1981. He had been licensed for 79 years and throughout that time Peter enjoyed amateur radio, holding the callsigns G3HVG, VS7XG, VU2XG, 6Y5XG, HC1XG, HC1XG/HC8, as well as G8VG which he inherited when his father Bill Windle passed away. As an excellent and highly-skilled Morse operator, Peter was not only a member of the FOC, but he (and his father Bill) had both been past Presidents. In fact, in FOC competitions, it’s not points that are collected but ‘Windles’! Ever modest, Peter loved amateur radio; it had been his way of creating friendships wherever he had travelled throughout the world. One of my lasting memories is a photo taken just shortly before he passed away. The image, included here, shows him teaching Morse code to two of his Great Grandsons, Jonathan and Nicholas, who I was privileged to meet at the ceremony. Letters published in ‘The Last Word’ do not necessarily reflect RSGB policy. ‘Last Word’ letters may be emailed to radcom@rsgb.org.uk Please note that letters submitted for ‘The Last Word’ may not be acknowledged. The RSGB reserves the right not to publish any letter, with no reason being given. It is a condition of publication that all letters may be edited for grammar, length and / or clarity. Due to the limited space available, please keep letters as short as possible.