Message-ID: <479601c81720$30421a90$1f03210a@Hugh>
From: "Hugh_m0wye" <m0wye@radiouk.com>
To: <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
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Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:00:30 +0100
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Subject: Re: 500 LF: RADCOM
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It's probably worth pointing out that the archive CD's of RadCom seem to be 
available to Non-members from the RSGB shop, (on-line store) so you can get 
hold of past issues of RadCom even if you are not a member.

http://www.rsgbshop.org/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Radcom___QST_17.html
73
Hugh M0WYE


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Talbot" <andy.g4jnt@googlemail.com>
To: <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: 500 LF: RADCOM


> Sri - we're being rather parochial.  Radcom is the magazine of the
> RSGB, for members only.  It used to be half full of  technical
> articles with the rest made up of operating, news and events.   Now it
> seems to be all about events, people, HF contesting, amateur radio
> celebrities and holiday photographs; what technical stuff it pretends
> to include under that category consists of a beginners / homebrew
> column, which to be fair is very good - if you're a beginner!  There
> is a regular column which has the audacity to be called "Technical
> Topics" but is more of a nostalgia trip for its writer and ought to be
> called radio history.  Another column "In Practice" often carries the
> only circuit diagrams to be found in some months' issues.  There are
> some other regular columns which were originally meant to be operating
> based, but some of the authors of those (I'm one) include mainly
> technical matters to try to make up for the rest of the magazine.
> What is lacking, and gives the magazine its boring image is the lack
> in recent years of full blown constructional or technical articles.
>
> As someone who took to writing technical articles for magazines about
> a decade ago, and have written quite a few since, all I can say is
> give it a go.   I found that the real difficulty to producing any
> article is making the start.  If you are writing about something
> you've done, and completed to your satisfaction, once the first bit is
> started the  words will flow.   Diagrams and cross references
> generally take up the most time (and cause most errors).   Diagrams
> are always redrawn so you don't have to be too particular about
> supplying neat ones.
>
> In particular, they are interested in the shorter weekend project,
> typically one to two pages (1000 - 2000 words approx) and the largest
> likely to get into print these days runs to 4 pages - that appears to
> be a dictate from high and does preclude some really good big things.
>
> Anything submitted to Radcom these days has to be passed by the RSGB's
> Technical Committee (TC), and they usually offer a few helpful
> comments if any changes are needed.   The editor himself is an
> experienced writer, and can, if needed, make a superb job of editing
> the English / grammar etc.  My first experience of Giles was when the
> article on the Bell Hill microwave beacons had to be cut from 6 to 4
> pages.   (Considering we'd already had a very intensive editing
> session to get th eoriginal size down as requested by TC, he managed
> to reduce the size by a further 33% without losing anything of the
> content).
>
> Enough of that parochial rant, this reflector isn't really the place,
> we should be trying to influence the Board / editors really.  But
> there are a lot of subscribers to this reflector who do produce
> interesting technical stuff, and the magazine does have a dearth of
> stuff.   Give writing a try - it gets very addictive after a while.
>
> Andy  G4JNT
>
>
> On 25/10/2007, Scholz, Marco <marco.scholz@citi.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>> very stupid question - is RadCom a (online) magazine? How can i get 
>> access?
>>
>> many thanks
>> vy73
>> Marco
>> DD7PC
>> ________________________________
>> From: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
>> [mailto:owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org] On Behalf Of
>> G0MRF@aol.com
>> Sent: 25 October 2007 16:03
>> To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
>> Subject: Re: 500 LF: RADCOM
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you Andy.
>>
>> I had wondered why my enthusiasm to read RadCom had been somewhat reduced
>> recently. Then after Andy's mail I looked through the current edition and
>> found not a single constructional article.  Thank you for the wake up 
>> call.
>> There was a time when, certainly when Mike G3XDV was editor, when 
>> technical
>> articles were backed up and you had to wait months for something to 
>> appear.
>> I wonder if that is still the case but that they are just not being
>> published?
>> Re 500kHz.  Sourcing parts for a project is a big problem for an 
>> individual
>> and although this is a personal opinion. I think anyone wishing to give
>> 500kHz a shove towards popularity needs to do 2 things.
>> 1) Design a transmitter that represents a moderately 21st engineering but
>> without including so many extras you need a mortgage or a several weeks 
>> and
>> a binocular microscope to build it.
>> 2) Having done that, be prepared to invest in some PCBs and key 
>> components
>> for the design. Or be prepared to supply complete kits.
>>
>> This process has worked well for the microwave operator with G4DDK G3WDG 
>> and
>> Andy all producing reliable designs giving access to bands where no
>> comercial equipment exists.
>> Of course, something working against this process at present is that 
>> 500kHz
>> is only with us at the 100mW level and the NOV is limited to March 2008.
>> Maybe, if that sitaution changes.....1W and permanent access would be
>> nice....then the designs and kits will appear.
>> Standalone CW TX ?   Transmit converter from HF?   Something software
>> definable?
>> Maybe a simple DDS that could generate CW or PSK or FSK modulation.
>>
>> Plenty of ideas on the wish list, but only if the band carries on beyond
>> 03/08.
>>
>> So many things to do, so little time.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> David  G0MRF
>>
>> In a message dated 25/10/2007 09:44:49 GMT Standard Time,
>> andy.g4jnt@googlemail.com writes:
>> How about writing a few letters to the editor about the appalling
>> tabloid route the Radcomic is taking?
>>
>> Giles (editor)  himself is a bit concerned about the route the comic
>> is moving, but I get the feeling he is being pushed by the RSGB Mafia,
>> sorry the Board.   The two job titles that used to run the magazine
>> were "Editor" and "Technical Editor"    now   they are "Managing
>> Editor" and  "Features Editor" .  That sez it all!
>>
>> Andy  G4JNT
>>
>>
>