From: g4gvw <g4gvw@aol.com>
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
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Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:31:27 +0100
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Subject: Re: LF: Re: RSGB Convention MF side looks a bit thin ??
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Thanks for the compliment, Roger. 

It is, of course, only an observation and requires much thought -
probably by those much more clever than I. 

I dropped out of membership a couple of years ago after many years. I am
not sure if the RSGB now fulfils any of its traditional roles in quite
the level of effectiveness it used to. Some of the reasons for this have
to do with changing technology and convergence of techniques. Some, of
course, have to do with relevance of such a "representative" body for
(perceived) hobbyists in the midst of a commercially demanding clamour
for spectrum.
In past times, the hobby gained considerable support and protection from
folk in "high places"- often amateurs themselves who could argue the
usefulness as a training and experimental 'kindergarten' for new
recruits and the nurturing of talent for industry. Some of these
individuals carried far more weight in the corridors of power than whole
delegations of "hobby societies". Sadly, many of those are no more. The
corridors of power have also changed and the newer breed of civil
administrators see things quite differently to their predecessors. Each
Khz of spectrum is seen as having far more commercial than social value.
Amateur Radio isn't even an "Olympic" event that might attract political
interest!

I can remember being at a meeting in which a fairly senior civil servant
suggested commandeering part of an amateur band for a service whereupon
he was virtually sat on by one senior industry figure while another
explained to him what would happen to his career once the relevant
minister had been "spoken to"!

What does the "new breed" see when he looks at our national society in
light of today's news? Relevance? Stability? Growth? Probity?
My favourite computer mag (Linux Format) has oftentimes more technical
content and less glossy advertising than Radcom - and what's more I can
buy it in Tesco!

The perception ain't good, Guys.

Thinking really off the wall, how about a whole new "technician class"
of licence and the opportunity to merge the "techie" group into one of
the professional bodies. I chuck that one in for the purposes of debate.
Who has a more outlandish idea?

73  


On Wed, 2011-10-05 at 23:52 +0100, Roger Lapthorn wrote:
> G4GVW makes a very interesting observation. I too think there is a growing gap between radio "science" and radio "sport". I enjoy both but get more satisfaction from the former. 
> 
> 73s
> Roger G3XBM
> 
> -- Via my iPod Touch 4g --
> 
> On 5 Oct 2011, at 22:39, g4gvw <g4gvw@aol.com> wrote:
> 
> > Actually Andy, I've just had an exchange of emails with my mate Alan
> > 3nyk (near neighbour) in which I have mooted the idea that maybe now is
> > the time for a realignment of the Royal Surrey Gas Board. Membership is
> > falling, my guess is that this is proportionate to 'genuine' amateur
> > activity and that a realignment into organisations, some of which might
> > be absorbed or merged into other technical or scientific bodies. This
> > might seem sacraligeous (gosh, can't even spell the word)  to some but I
> > cannot feel that experimental and developmental aspects are best served
> > by the status quo!
> > 
> > Having had to deal with the "powers that be" in a professional context,
> > I cannot believe they are, any more, convinced that "QSL Card Bashing"
> > is any more than a sport carried out by "appliance operators" (see, I'm
> > not always at loggerheads with Mal hi.) The modern "appliance" radio
> > rarely requires a huge amount of "self-training". Those ops who don't
> > have the technical "nous" to adapt to modes and frequencies that cannot
> > be bought "off the shelf" tend to be just what Mal calls "appliance
> > operators". 
> > 
> > Ok I'm now an "old fogey" but I'd far rather count frequency than
> > countries and squares (been there, done that).
> > 
> > I bet that if Maxwell were still around today, he'd have had a callsign!
> > 
> > But, he wouldn't have been chasing squares!
> > 
> > 
> > 73
> > 
> > 
> > On Wed, 2011-10-05 at 21:19 +0100, Andy Talbot wrote:
> >> A few years ago, the convention and all RSGB activity was so HF
> >> orientated us technolgists and microwavers were alienated.  At long
> >> last everything has been equalised and the conventions merged, so
> >> technology and techniques for the whole spectrum can be covered for
> >> all.
> >> 
> >> Did anyone offer any LF / MF talks ?
> >> 
> >> Andy
> >> www.g4jnt.com
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> On 5 October 2011 18:56, Graham <g8fzk@g8fzk.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> >>        True but looks like the   fast-food  gang are slowly
> >>        taking over !..An   Inevitability  of  combining  the  HF
> >>        and  VHF  shows  I  suppose..
> >> 
> >>        Coupled to  a  lack  of  solar  activity  that  depressed
> >>        the  HF band  occupancy  ..
> >> 
> >>        G..
> >> 
> >> 
> >>        --------------------------------------------------
> >>        From: "Alan Melia" <alan.melia@btinternet.com>
> >>        Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 6:33 PM
> >>        To: <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
> >>        Subject: LF: Re: RSGB Convention   MF side looks a  bit
> >>         thin ?? 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >>                I think it's like all these things Graham......it
> >>                depends what papers are
> >>                offered. If no-one offers any lectures you dont get a
> >>                stream.
> >> 
> >>                Alan
> >> 
> >>                ----- Original Message ----- From: "Graham"
> >>                <g8fzk@g8fzk.fsnet.co.uk>
> >>                To: <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
> >>                Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 5:30 PM
> >>                Subject: LF: RSGB Convention MF side looks a bit
> >>                thin ??
> >> 
> >> 
> >>                RSGB Convention   MF side looks a  bit  thin ??  Is
> >>                 there a  real   HF/
> >>                MF/LF   convention   anywhere   ??
> >> 
> >>                Dave's  45  min slot  on the  Sunday looks to be
> >>                 'it' ?
> >> 
> >>                Don't  mind  mini-waves  ...   just  a bit  like
> >>                being  at  work  over the
> >>                weekend .. !
> >> 
> >>                G..
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> > 
> > -- 
> > 73 es gd dx de pat g4gvw
> > qth nr felixstowe uk
> > (east coast, county of suffolk)
> > 
> > 
> 

-- 
73 es gd dx de pat g4gvw
 qth nr felixstowe uk
(east coast, county of suffolk)