• Re: How's HF faring at the moment?

    From A. non Eyemouse@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 02, 2025 21:33:28
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!

    My NIN sub lapsed in 2021 and I didn't notice for a couple of months, I
    just assumed the groups in my subs were dead. When I did finally realise
    they were dead because my account was dead, I figured "hey, I've done
    without Usenet for a while quite happily, I'll retire gracefully."

    Well, I came back to Usenet a while ago but with my radio gear all packed away still following a house move I decided to give the radio groups a
    wide berth. But I have been giving serious consideration lately to getting back on to HF - I understand that we are still in solar maximum, right?

    How are the conditions, in general? 20 and 40m SSB voice is all I'm
    thinking of dipping my toe back into - main motivation is my youngest son
    has shown increasing interest (and talent) in making and tinkering;
    started off with scale models a few years ago and he got into that, then dabbled in some basic electronics and he loved that, then got a 3D printer and he has taken to that and 3D design like a duck to water. Now, he's champing at the bit to do more electronics building - and I think
    introducing him to amateur radio might be a nice compliment to it.

    Early days (he's 10...), but I think we have an engineer in the making!
    All I can do as a parent is try and nurture his latent skills and see if
    any of it sticks and helps him decide where he wants to take his life. We
    did it with our elder son, he showed early athletic promise so we had him training jiu jitsu from the age of 6 and he's now, 11 years later,
    studying sports diploma at college with various possible university paths lined up after that, and teaching the sport while he trains to be a semi-pro/pro cage fighter! Life's short, and you should spend it doing the things you love - a lesson I learned too late, and a lesson I'm trying to
    get my kids to learn it early.

    My thinking is, then, if there's currently the chance for some good and
    easy global HF contacts, then it'd be a shame to miss taking advantage of
    it to share with our youngest and see if it ignites an interest that could spiral outwards.

    Would be interested to hear how the bands are before I clamber up on to
    the roof to install an antenna... :)

    STC

    PS: Hope you have all been well and happy the last few years!

    PPS: /offtopic - Also, I finally managed to create a newsgroup!
    , so was unencumbered by those pesky RFDs and votes... Is
    dead as a doornail lol. If any of y'all are 3D printers, would be great to see you there!


    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at least
    he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be moving on
    from the NE602.

    --
    Mouse.
    Where Morse meets House.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From brian@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, December 03, 2025 10:49:55
    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    My NIN sub lapsed in 2021 and I didn't notice for a couple of
    months, I
    just assumed the groups in my subs were dead. When I did finally realise
    they were dead because my account was dead, I figured "hey, I've done
    without Usenet for a while quite happily, I'll retire gracefully."
    Well, I came back to Usenet a while ago but with my radio gear all >>packed
    away still following a house move I decided to give the radio groups a
    wide berth. But I have been giving serious consideration lately to getting >> back on to HF - I understand that we are still in solar maximum, right?
    How are the conditions, in general? 20 and 40m SSB voice is all I'm
    thinking of dipping my toe back into - main motivation is my youngest son
    has shown increasing interest (and talent) in making and tinkering;
    started off with scale models a few years ago and he got into that, then
    dabbled in some basic electronics and he loved that, then got a 3D printer >> and he has taken to that and 3D design like a duck to water. Now, he's
    champing at the bit to do more electronics building - and I think
    introducing him to amateur radio might be a nice compliment to it.
    Early days (he's 10...), but I think we have an engineer in the
    making!
    All I can do as a parent is try and nurture his latent skills and see if
    any of it sticks and helps him decide where he wants to take his life. We
    did it with our elder son, he showed early athletic promise so we had him
    training jiu jitsu from the age of 6 and he's now, 11 years later,
    studying sports diploma at college with various possible university paths
    lined up after that, and teaching the sport while he trains to be a
    semi-pro/pro cage fighter! Life's short, and you should spend it doing the >> things you love - a lesson I learned too late, and a lesson I'm trying to
    get my kids to learn it early.
    My thinking is, then, if there's currently the chance for some good
    and
    easy global HF contacts, then it'd be a shame to miss taking advantage of
    it to share with our youngest and see if it ignites an interest that could >> spiral outwards.
    Would be interested to hear how the bands are before I clamber up on
    to
    the roof to install an antenna... :)
    STC
    PS: Hope you have all been well and happy the last few years!
    PPS: /offtopic - Also, I finally managed to create a newsgroup!
    , so was unencumbered by those pesky RFDs and votes... Is
    dead as a doornail lol. If any of y'all are 3D printers, would be great to >> see you there!


    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at least
    he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be moving on
    from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings. Young
    Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and "gasp" the
    uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate change theories.

    All of the known instances of Paul Cummins as confirmed by the GRO have
    gone toes up. Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra and
    uram alive have ceased.

    The panix blogs, which made up a good deal of the traffic have
    stopped

    The short waves have been pretty good recently, but I'm not a short wave enthusiast . There have been a number of decent aurora on 6m and 4m.

    I'm spending most of my time messing around on VHF/UHF and microwaves .
    I've done some test tranmissions on 472KHz including an AM NDB lookalike
    but I don't have a decent aerial yet.

    You can now trade in your old callsign for a shiny new one ( or ancient
    G3)

    Brian GM4DIJ


    --
    Brian Howie

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, December 03, 2025 14:28:23
    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    No, although he said a while ago that he has 60 years continuous RSGB membership so is now freeloading on the society.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    He can sometimes be seen in the Daily Telegraph comments, it's the same
    name and mostly the same posting style.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, December 03, 2025 19:46:29
    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    My NIN sub lapsed in 2021 and I didn't notice for a couple of
    months, I
    just assumed the groups in my subs were dead. When I did finally
    realise they were dead because my account was dead, I figured
    "hey, I've done without Usenet for a while quite happily, I'll
    retire gracefully." Well, I came back to Usenet a while ago but
    with my radio gear all
    packed
    away still following a house move I decided to give the radio
    groups a wide berth. But I have been giving serious consideration
    lately to getting back on to HF - I understand that we are still
    in solar maximum, right? How are the conditions, in general? 20
    and 40m SSB voice is all I'm thinking of dipping my toe back into
    - main motivation is my youngest son has shown increasing interest
    (and talent) in making and tinkering; started off with scale
    models a few years ago and he got into that, then dabbled in some
    basic electronics and he loved that, then got a 3D printer and he
    has taken to that and 3D design like a duck to water. Now, he's
    champing at the bit to do more electronics building - and I think
    introducing him to amateur radio might be a nice compliment to it.
    Early days (he's 10...), but I think we have an engineer in the
    making!
    All I can do as a parent is try and nurture his latent skills and
    see if any of it sticks and helps him decide where he wants to
    take his life. We did it with our elder son, he showed early
    athletic promise so we had him training jiu jitsu from the age of
    6 and he's now, 11 years later, studying sports diploma at college
    with various possible university paths lined up after that, and
    teaching the sport while he trains to be a semi-pro/pro cage
    fighter! Life's short, and you should spend it doing the things
    you love - a lesson I learned too late, and a lesson I'm trying to
    get my kids to learn it early. My thinking is, then, if there's
    currently the chance for some good
    and
    easy global HF contacts, then it'd be a shame to miss taking
    advantage of it to share with our youngest and see if it ignites
    an interest that could spiral outwards.
    Would be interested to hear how the bands are before I clamber up
    on
    to
    the roof to install an antenna... :)
    STC
    PS: Hope you have all been well and happy the last few years!
    PPS: /offtopic - Also, I finally managed to create a newsgroup!
    , so was unencumbered by those pesky RFDs and votes... Is
    dead as a doornail lol. If any of y'all are 3D printers, would be
    great to see you there!


    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at
    least he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be
    moving on from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings. Young
    Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and "gasp" the
    uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate change
    theories.

    All of the known instances of Paul Cummins as confirmed by the GRO
    have gone toes up. Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a whi

    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    Reay's still about, too.




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 05, 2025 13:06:26
    In article <8WDTerGTXBMpFwIb@b-howie.co.uk>, brian <brian@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    <snip>

    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at least
    he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be moving on
    from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings. Young
    Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and "gasp" the
    uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate change theories.

    All of the known instances of Paul Cummins as confirmed by the GRO have
    gone toes up. Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra and
    uram alive have ceased.

    The panix blogs, which made up a good deal of the traffic have
    stopped

    The short waves have been pretty good recently, but I'm not a short wave enthusiast . There have been a number of decent aurora on 6m and 4m.

    I'm spending most of my time messing around on VHF/UHF and microwaves .
    I've done some test tranmissions on 472KHz including an AM NDB lookalike
    but I don't have a decent aerial yet.

    You can now trade in your old callsign for a shiny new one ( or ancient
    G3)

    Thanks both for the updates, appreciated. So, Jim dead, and Cummins too? Christ, he wasn't much older than me...

    I've not heard anything of Brian locally for years, but then again I
    haven't spoken to a soul at the local radio club who also know of him in
    some years and I haven't been in his usual haunts on Usenet since I've
    been back, so no surprise there.

    Hope Ian is still breathing, but he must be... close to 80 now? Or was he
    a bit younger than that?

    OK, if the short waves have been good, then I'll get an antenna up. It's
    been a good long while since I've thought about radio, I've forgotten everything, so I'll just buy one instead of try and make one. Bloody hammy mens, eh?

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 05, 2025 13:10:59
    In article <20251203142823.673b9ee2@deangelis.fenrir.org.uk>,
    bdm@fenrir.org.uk wrote:

    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    No, although he said a while ago that he has 60 years continuous RSGB membership so is now freeloading on the society.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    He can sometimes be seen in the Daily Telegraph comments, it's the same
    name and mostly the same posting style.

    I remember saying it here before - there's a Viz strip called The Male
    Online, and it is Brian to a tee! Give it a Google and read a few of them
    and you'll see what I mean...

    I met Brian a couple of times in real life and he was thoroughly pleasant,
    for what it's worth. A different character when he's online, though,
    definitely - but I'm sure same can be said about most of us.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From brian@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 06, 2025 10:13:03
    In message <vintageapplemac-0512251306260001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <8WDTerGTXBMpFwIb@b-howie.co.uk>, brian <brian@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse
    <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    <snip>

    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at least
    he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be moving on
    from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings. Young
    Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and "gasp" the
    uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate change theories.

    All of the known instances of Paul Cummins as confirmed by the GRO have
    gone toes up. Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra and
    uram alive have ceased.

    The panix blogs, which made up a good deal of the traffic have
    stopped

    The short waves have been pretty good recently, but I'm not a short wave
    enthusiast . There have been a number of decent aurora on 6m and 4m.

    I'm spending most of my time messing around on VHF/UHF and microwaves .
    I've done some test tranmissions on 472KHz including an AM NDB lookalike
    but I don't have a decent aerial yet.

    You can now trade in your old callsign for a shiny new one ( or ancient
    G3)

    Thanks both for the updates, appreciated. So, Jim dead, and Cummins too? >Christ, he wasn't much older than me...

    There was speculation as to whether he was "doing bird" again ( if he
    ever did it in the 1st place) , so I looked up the GRO and reported. It
    was quite a while after his/their demise it appeared,thus the
    incarceration theory gained traction . There were no obituaries, not
    even in the Basingstoke Gazette.

    "Name: Year of Birth:
    CUMMINS, PAUL ALEXANDER F 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    WILKIE, JOHN 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    JAMESON, ROBERT 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    Dying 3 times, respect doodz.

    There may be another instances of him alive and well."

    So Brian was right about the 3 amigos being a shared identity .

    B
    --
    Brian Howie

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 07, 2025 09:52:20
    In article <CVts+UMvGANpFw23@b-howie.co.uk>, brian <brian@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <vintageapplemac-0512251306260001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes

    Thanks both for the updates, appreciated. So, Jim dead, and Cummins too? >Christ, he wasn't much older than me...

    There was speculation as to whether he was "doing bird" again ( if he
    ever did it in the 1st place) , so I looked up the GRO and reported. It
    was quite a while after his/their demise it appeared,thus the
    incarceration theory gained traction . There were no obituaries, not
    even in the Basingstoke Gazette.

    But if he was locked up, would he have even been able to fake his death?
    Or is the theory that he did some time and was then released and then
    faked his death, on all three of his aliases, to give himself a clean
    slate? Because that is convoluted, even for Cummins...

    And is it even possible to trick the GRO that way?

    "Name: Year of Birth:
    CUMMINS, PAUL ALEXANDER F 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    WILKIE, JOHN 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    JAMESON, ROBERT 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    Dying 3 times, respect doodz.

    He was certainly an odd fellow. I've still got that cease and desist
    letter somewhere that he peeled around the M25 in the early hours one
    night to stuff through my letterbox.

    There may be another instances of him alive and well."

    So Brian was right about the 3 amigos being a shared identity

    Well, yes. I don't think there was ever much doubt, even with all the obfuscations Cummins threw up in the air. Brian did get drawn into it all
    more than he should have, tbh, but he was understandably sensitive re
    internet nutters given the whole letter-to-his-employer stunt by Gareth
    and all the fallout from that.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Monday, December 08, 2025 22:15:46
    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here! I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.1
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 09, 2025 22:57:50
    On Mon, 8 Dec 2025 22:15:46 +0000
    Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here! I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    Yes, I'm afraid Ofcom didn't follow up on my suggestion of 50 years
    before releasing pre-enjoyed callsigns, and they were even less keen on
    my other suggestion of 500 years.

    I trust that you are now enjoying your freebie RadComs Ian.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 12, 2025 10:23:50
    On Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:10:59 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <20251203142823.673b9ee2@deangelis.fenrir.org.uk>, bdm@fenrir.org.uk wrote:

    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    No, although he said a while ago that he has 60 years continuous
    RSGB membership so is now freeloading on the society.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    He can sometimes be seen in the Daily Telegraph comments, it's the
    same name and mostly the same posting style.

    I remember saying it here before - there's a Viz strip called The Male Online, and it is Brian to a tee! Give it a Google and read a few of
    them and you'll see what I mean...

    I met Brian a couple of times in real life and he was thoroughly
    pleasant, for what it's worth. A different character when he's
    online, though, definitely - but I'm sure same can be said about most
    of us.

    Have you forgotten that Morrison is every bit as right wing as Reay?


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 12, 2025 10:33:11
    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    My NIN sub lapsed in 2021 and I didn't notice for a couple of
    months, I
    just assumed the groups in my subs were dead. When I did finally
    realise they were dead because my account was dead, I figured
    "hey, I've done without Usenet for a while quite happily, I'll
    retire gracefully." Well, I came back to Usenet a while ago but
    with my radio gear all
    packed
    away still following a house move I decided to give the radio
    groups a wide berth. But I have been giving serious consideration
    lately to getting back on to HF - I understand that we are still
    in solar maximum, right? How are the conditions, in general? 20
    and 40m SSB voice is all I'm thinking of dipping my toe back into
    - main motivation is my youngest son has shown increasing interest
    (and talent) in making and tinkering; started off with scale
    models a few years ago and he got into that, then dabbled in some
    basic electronics and he loved that, then got a 3D printer and he
    has taken to that and 3D design like a duck to water. Now, he's
    champing at the bit to do more electronics building - and I think
    introducing him to amateur radio might be a nice compliment to it.
    Early days (he's 10...), but I think we have an engineer in the
    making!
    All I can do as a parent is try and nurture his latent skills and
    see if any of it sticks and helps him decide where he wants to
    take his life. We did it with our elder son, he showed early
    athletic promise so we had him training jiu jitsu from the age of
    6 and he's now, 11 years later, studying sports diploma at college
    with various possible university paths lined up after that, and
    teaching the sport while he trains to be a semi-pro/pro cage
    fighter! Life's short, and you should spend it doing the things
    you love - a lesson I learned too late, and a lesson I'm trying to
    get my kids to learn it early. My thinking is, then, if there's
    currently the chance for some good
    and
    easy global HF contacts, then it'd be a shame to miss taking
    advantage of it to share with our youngest and see if it ignites
    an interest that could spiral outwards.
    Would be interested to hear how the bands are before I clamber up
    on
    to
    the roof to install an antenna... :)
    STC
    PS: Hope you have all been well and happy the last few years!
    PPS: /offtopic - Also, I finally managed to create a newsgroup!
    , so was unencumbered by those pesky RFDs and votes... Is
    dead as a doornail lol. If any of y'all are 3D printers, would be
    great to see you there!


    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at
    least he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be
    moving on from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings. Young
    Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and "gasp" the
    uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate change
    theories.


    I thought that sKumbag-evans had scaled back on his Usenet posting so
    that he could devote more time to his interest in daytime TV and Ben &
    Jerry's?


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 12, 2025 12:56:22
    On Sat, 6 Dec 2025 10:13:03 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <vintageapplemac-0512251306260001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <8WDTerGTXBMpFwIb@b-howie.co.uk>, brian
    <brian@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mp9498Fdc22U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse
    <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 30/11/2025 08:26, scole wrote:
    Hello ukram, it's been a while!
    <snip>

    We think Jim may have passed away. Gareth is still around, or at
    least he was telling people on the G-QRP reflector they should be
    moving on from the NE602.


    Gareth pops up on the RSGB Workshop with some strange postings.
    Young Spike "contributes" to uk.rec.cycling occasionally and
    "gasp" the uk.legal moderated group and diy expounding his climate
    change theories.

    All of the known instances of Paul Cummins as confirmed by the GRO
    have gone toes up. Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a
    while.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    The panix blogs, which made up a good deal of the traffic have
    stopped

    The short waves have been pretty good recently, but I'm not a
    short wave enthusiast . There have been a number of decent aurora
    on 6m and 4m.

    I'm spending most of my time messing around on VHF/UHF and
    microwaves . I've done some test tranmissions on 472KHz including
    an AM NDB lookalike but I don't have a decent aerial yet.

    You can now trade in your old callsign for a shiny new one ( or
    ancient G3)

    Thanks both for the updates, appreciated. So, Jim dead, and Cummins
    too? Christ, he wasn't much older than me...

    There was speculation as to whether he was "doing bird" again ( if he
    ever did it in the 1st place) , so I looked up the GRO and reported.
    It was quite a while after his/their demise it appeared,thus the incarceration theory gained traction . There were no obituaries, not
    even in the Basingstoke Gazette.

    "Name: Year of Birth:
    CUMMINS, PAUL ALEXANDER F 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    WILKIE, JOHN 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    JAMESON, ROBERT 1971

    GRO Reference: DOR Q3/2020 in OXFORDSHIRE (695-1A)

    Entry Number 521101422

    Dying 3 times, respect doodz.

    There may be another instances of him alive and well."

    So Brian was right about the 3 amigos being a shared identity .

    B

    If he'd lived a bit longer he could've filled three empty spots on the
    Usenet committee.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Friday, December 12, 2025 15:24:43
    On Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:23:50 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    I met Brian a couple of times in real life and he was thoroughly
    pleasant, for what it's worth. A different character when he's
    online, though, definitely - but I'm sure same can be said about
    most of us.

    Have you forgotten that Morrison is every bit as right wing as Reay?

    I find that when I point my telescope to the left I can't even see
    Genghis Khan, let alone Brian Reay.

    Of course perhaps I just want the state to leave me alone and stop
    telling us all how to live.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 07:29:26
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 07:33:27
    In article <mq2hnmFlkcpU1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 6 Dec 2025 10:13:03 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    So Brian was right about the 3 amigos being a shared identity .

    B

    If he'd lived a bit longer he could've filled three empty spots on the
    Usenet committee.

    I did look in to the management groups a week or so ago and saw that the Committee is currently bereft of members* and that this year's election
    had no applicants and many seats left unfilled. I might start laying the
    ground for a run at the Levers Of Power for next year... Might well get
    waved through uncontested! Burt'd go bananas!

    *What's happened there? Where's the old guard all gone? Toes up? I did see Charles Lindsay passed away...

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 07:36:33
    In article <mq28pmFk3qbU2@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:10:59 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <20251203142823.673b9ee2@deangelis.fenrir.org.uk>, bdm@fenrir.org.uk wrote:

    On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:49:55 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    Not seen anything from Ian Jackson OHX for a while.

    No, although he said a while ago that he has 60 years continuous
    RSGB membership so is now freeloading on the society.

    Brian Reay has also vanished so the flame wars that kept both ukra
    and uram alive have ceased.

    He can sometimes be seen in the Daily Telegraph comments, it's the
    same name and mostly the same posting style.

    I remember saying it here before - there's a Viz strip called The Male Online, and it is Brian to a tee! Give it a Google and read a few of
    them and you'll see what I mean...

    I met Brian a couple of times in real life and he was thoroughly
    pleasant, for what it's worth. A different character when he's
    online, though, definitely - but I'm sure same can be said about most
    of us.

    Have you forgotten that Morrison is every bit as right wing as Reay?

    No, am fully cognisant of that, but I know Brian R. is a close match for
    that character - am less sure if Brian M. spends his days in the Culture
    Wars trenches on newspaper website comment threads (although, seeing as he mentions above he regularly spots Brian R in the Telegraph comments,
    perhaps so!).

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 12:39:49
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:33:27 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <mq2hnmFlkcpU1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 6 Dec 2025 10:13:03 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    So Brian was right about the 3 amigos being a shared identity .

    B

    If he'd lived a bit longer he could've filled three empty spots on
    the Usenet committee.

    I did look in to the management groups a week or so ago and saw that
    the Committee is currently bereft of members* and that this year's
    election had no applicants and many seats left unfilled. I might
    start laying the ground for a run at the Levers Of Power for next
    year... Might well get waved through uncontested! Burt'd go bananas!

    I just asked Chatgpt if it could moderate a Usenet group and it said:

    I can:

    Apply a group's charter consistently

    Flag off-topic posts, FAQs, trolls, flamebait, sockpuppets.

    Distinguish good-faith disagreement from disruption.

    Enforce style rules (snipping, quoting, subject lines).

    Generate calm, neutral moderation responses.


    In short, CHatgpt says no probs. So how about uk.politics.moderated
    with 24/7, no delay, unbiased AI moderation? The white heat of
    technology doing away with outdated methods. I think that idea would
    excite Ribbens.


    *What's happened there? Where's the old guard all gone? Toes up? I
    did see Charles Lindsay passed away...

    I'm not sure. Try standing for something - you'll soon find out who is
    still paying attention.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 12:40:28
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 12:41:58
    On Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:24:43 +0000
    Brian Morrison <news@fenrir.org.uk> wrote:

    On Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:23:50 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    I met Brian a couple of times in real life and he was thoroughly pleasant, for what it's worth. A different character when he's
    online, though, definitely - but I'm sure same can be said about
    most of us.

    Have you forgotten that Morrison is every bit as right wing as
    Reay?

    I find that when I point my telescope to the left I can't even see
    Genghis Khan, let alone Brian Reay.

    Of course perhaps I just want the state to leave me alone and stop
    telling us all how to live.

    You should try swallowing some over-ripe Turnip juice, Bri - it's done
    wonders for Burt.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From mm0fmf@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 13, 2025 17:41:39
    On 13/12/2025 12:40, Bernie wrote:
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson
    <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.


    If Jim is no more and has shuffled off his mortal coil, has anyone
    informed Ofcom?

    I quite fancy getting Jim's call, should I still be around in 5 years,
    and using it as the call for a radio club for "wummin" and all the
    groups of people Jim despised.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 14, 2025 09:32:10
    In article <mq555sF44j4U5@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.

    In years to come, when Gareth is singing with the Welsh Choir Invisible,
    some poor sap is going to bag G4SDW and think they've got themselves a
    plum call, until they Google themselves...

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 14, 2025 09:40:06
    In article <10hk8gj$8h9i$1@dont-email.me>, mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:

    On 13/12/2025 12:40, Bernie wrote:
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson
    <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.


    If Jim is no more and has shuffled off his mortal coil, has anyone
    informed Ofcom?

    I quite fancy getting Jim's call, should I still be around in 5 years,
    and using it as the call for a radio club for "wummin" and all the
    groups of people Jim despised.

    Well, he always kept going on about Sky Fairies, so how about a religious oriented club? DHJ = Divine Heavenly Jesus. Jim'd *love* that...

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 14, 2025 09:43:18
    In article <mq554lF44j4U4@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:33:27 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <mq2hnmFlkcpU1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:


    In short, CHatgpt says no probs. So how about uk.politics.moderated
    with 24/7, no delay, unbiased AI moderation? The white heat of
    technology doing away with outdated methods. I think that idea would
    excite Ribbens.

    I dunno, as a learned language model, wouldn't it end up going fash within
    a mere few days of processing Usenet posts? We'd have a robot Reay running
    the thing!

    *What's happened there? Where's the old guard all gone? Toes up? I
    did see Charles Lindsay passed away...

    I'm not sure. Try standing for something - you'll soon find out who is
    still paying attention.

    I'll keep an eye out for next year's Call For Applicants.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 14, 2025 18:11:36
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:39:49 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    In short, CHatgpt says no probs. So how about uk.politics.moderated
    with 24/7, no delay, unbiased AI moderation? The white heat of
    technology doing away with outdated methods. I think that idea would
    excite Ribbens.

    Not if if meant he couldn't apply arbitrary socialist censorship when
    he felt like it.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 14, 2025 18:17:40
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:41:58 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:24:43 +0000
    Brian Morrison <news@fenrir.org.uk> wrote:

    On Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:23:50 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    [...]

    Have you forgotten that Morrison is every bit as right wing as
    Reay?

    I find that when I point my telescope to the left I can't even see
    Genghis Khan, let alone Brian Reay.

    Of course perhaps I just want the state to leave me alone and stop
    telling us all how to live.

    You should try swallowing some over-ripe Turnip juice, Bri - it's done wonders for Burt.

    I don't think that enthuses me much, I'd rather stick to what's on my
    whisky shelf as I'm unsure if I will drink it all before I cark it.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 20, 2025 23:23:39
    In message <vintageapplemac-1312250729260001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson ><ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns. [At least they're not grave-robbing.] Wasn't it Gareth who
    said "If it's not G, it's CB"?
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 20, 2025 23:27:57
    In message <vintageapplemac-1412250940060001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <10hk8gj$8h9i$1@dont-email.me>, mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:

    On 13/12/2025 12:40, Bernie wrote:
    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson
    <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.


    If Jim is no more and has shuffled off his mortal coil, has anyone
    informed Ofcom?

    I quite fancy getting Jim's call, should I still be around in 5 years,
    and using it as the call for a radio club for "wummin" and all the
    groups of people Jim despised.

    Well, he always kept going on about Sky Fairies, so how about a religious >oriented club? DHJ = Divine Heavenly Jesus. Jim'd *love* that...

    I'm constantly reminded of the German coastal station "DHJ/1, DHJ/2, etc
    on 160m.
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, December 20, 2025 23:31:16
    In message <20251209225750.734e3494@deangelis.fenrir.org.uk>, Brian
    Morrison <news@fenrir.org.uk> writes
    On Mon, 8 Dec 2025 22:15:46 +0000
    Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here! I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    Yes, I'm afraid Ofcom didn't follow up on my suggestion of 50 years
    before releasing pre-enjoyed callsigns, and they were even less keen on
    my other suggestion of 500 years.

    I trust that you are now enjoying your freebie RadComs Ian.

    Your trust is well-placed!
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From brian@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 05:39:27
    In message <Wl+OmSC7$yRpFwX0@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> writes
    In message <vintageapplemac-1312250729260001@pmg3>, scole ><vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson >><ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns. [At least they're not grave-robbing.] Wasn't it Gareth who
    said "If it's not G, it's CB"?

    The G5s were furren nationals There were a whole load of them at
    NAVCOMMSEC "RAF" Edzell and no doubt elsewhere .

    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html

    I knew of a GM5APY based for a short time at Holy Loch. His phonetics
    were dubbed Anti Polaris Yankee.

    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names and addressees if I recall

    Brian


    --
    Brian Howie

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:10:37
    In article <Wl+OmSC7$yRpFwX0@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <vintageapplemac-1312250729260001@pmg3>, scole <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson ><ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns. [At least they're not grave-robbing.]

    Nah, deffo not for me - M0TEY 4 Life!

    Wasn't it Gareth who said "If it's not G, it's CB"?

    Sure, but Gareth said a *lot* of things over the years - not many of them especially sane.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From A. non Eyemouse@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 19:00:35
    On 21/12/2025 05:39, brian wrote:
    In message <Wl+OmSC7$yRpFwX0@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> writes
    In message <vintageapplemac-1312250729260001@pmg3>, scole
    <vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson
    <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns. [At least they're not grave-robbing.] Wasn't it Gareth who
    said "If it's not G, it's CB"?

    The G5s were furren nationals˙ There were a whole load of them at
    NAVCOMMSEC "RAF" Edzell and no doubt elsewhere .

    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html

    Looks like they had a Wullenweber there, as they did at RAF Chicksands.


    I knew of a GM5APY based˙ for a short time at Holy Loch. His phonetics
    were dubbed Anti Polaris Yankee.

    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names and addressees if I recall

    They've turned that upside down these days with the FCC publishing US
    hams data and Ofcom giving the option to withhold particulars.

    --
    Mouse.
    Where Morse meets House.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 19:23:07
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:39:27 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names and addressees if I recall

    That was Duncan Campbell, the journalist, who was licensed himself. He
    worked out that those G5 calls were clustered around certain places and
    was able to identify them as Fylingdales, Menwith Hill and a few others.
    The MoD had a conniption once it was realised and these callsigns were
    changed to G0 I think, but not directly with the same suffix.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 19:25:20
    In message <mqquekFo307U1@mid.individual.net>, A. non Eyemouse <somewhere@work.invalid> writes
    On 21/12/2025 05:39, brian wrote:
    In message <Wl+OmSC7$yRpFwX0@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson >><ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> writes
    In message <vintageapplemac-1312250729260001@pmg3>, scole >>><vintageapplemac@gmail.com> writes
    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson
    <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3 >>>callsigns. [At least they're not grave-robbing.] Wasn't it Gareth who >>>said "If it's not G, it's CB"?
    The G5s were furren nationals? There were a whole load of them at >>NAVCOMMSEC "RAF" Edzell and no doubt elsewhere .
    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html

    Looks like they had a Wullenweber there, as they did at RAF Chicksands.

    I knew of a GM5APY based? for a short time at Holy Loch. His
    phonetics were dubbed Anti Polaris Yankee.
    https://www.qsl.net/w3df/edzell/edzell.html
    There was a security scare because the call book contained names and >>addressees if I recall

    They've turned that upside down these days with the FCC publishing US
    hams data and Ofcom giving the option to withhold particulars.

    In the UK, amateurs have always been able to request that their
    particulars be withheld - and I'm sure that in some sensitive cases,
    their employers made sure of this too.
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 19:25:43
    On Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:31:16 +0000
    Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    I trust that you are now enjoying your freebie RadComs Ian.

    Your trust is well-placed!

    I do like to see a well-executed long-term plan come together, I assume
    you can have any variety you like now that there are electronic
    versions to be had.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From mm0fmf@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, December 21, 2025 19:54:54
    On 21/12/2025 19:23, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:39:27 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names and
    addressees if I recall

    That was Duncan Campbell, the journalist, who was licensed himself. He
    worked out that those G5 calls were clustered around certain places and
    was able to identify them as Fylingdales, Menwith Hill and a few others.
    The MoD had a conniption once it was realised and these callsigns were changed to G0 I think, but not directly with the same suffix.

    No, the G5 calls were simply cancelled. Former G5 holders could sit the
    RAE if they wanted. Otherwise they got nothing.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ottavio Caruso@3:633/10 to All on Monday, December 22, 2025 15:17:56
    Am 20.12.25 um 23:23 schrieb Ian Jackson:
    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3 callsigns.

    Huh? How do you do that and why should I do that?

    --
    Ottavio Caruso

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From mm0fmf@3:633/10 to All on Monday, December 22, 2025 22:24:25
    On 22/12/2025 15:17, Ottavio Caruso wrote:
    Am 20.12.25 um 23:23 schrieb Ian Jackson:
    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns.

    Huh? How do you do that and why should I do that?


    Learn Morse and you'll understand why.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 09:52:49
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:54:54 +0000
    mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:

    On 21/12/2025 19:23, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:39:27 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names
    and addressees if I recall

    That was Duncan Campbell, the journalist, who was licensed himself.
    He worked out that those G5 calls were clustered around certain
    places and was able to identify them as Fylingdales, Menwith Hill
    and a few others. The MoD had a conniption once it was realised and
    these callsigns were changed to G0 I think, but not directly with
    the same suffix.
    No, the G5 calls were simply cancelled. Former G5 holders could sit
    the RAE if they wanted. Otherwise they got nothing.

    I believe they were able to get reciprocal licences as before, but just
    not with a clearly recognisable prefix.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From A. non Eyemouse@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 15:41:35
    On 23/12/2025 09:52, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:54:54 +0000
    mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:

    On 21/12/2025 19:23, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:39:27 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:

    There was a security scare because the call book contained names
    and addressees if I recall

    That was Duncan Campbell, the journalist, who was licensed himself.
    He worked out that those G5 calls were clustered around certain
    places and was able to identify them as Fylingdales, Menwith Hill
    and a few others. The MoD had a conniption once it was realised and
    these callsigns were changed to G0 I think, but not directly with
    the same suffix.
    No, the G5 calls were simply cancelled. Former G5 holders could sit
    the RAE if they wanted. Otherwise they got nothing.

    I believe they were able to get reciprocal licences as before, but just
    not with a clearly recognisable prefix.


    I knew someone with a G5B?? who was issued a G0. I don't believe he was required to sit the RAE and 12wpm morse test for his G0.

    --
    Mouse.
    Where Morse meets House.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 17:22:22
    In message <10ibnf4$3jmu8$1@dont-email.me>, Ottavio Caruso <ottavio2006-usenet2012@yahoo.com> writes
    Am 20.12.25 um 23:23 schrieb Ian Jackson:
    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3 callsigns.

    Huh? How do you do that and why should I do that?

    I understand that you simply go to the OFCOM website, and there you can
    choose a different callsign (if available). This is effective
    immediately. Note that it also instantly revokes your present 'unwanted' callsign, and any additional personal callsigns you may have collected
    (but not club callsigns).
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Ian Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 17:26:45
    In message <10icgep$3rs6i$1@dont-email.me>, mm0fmf <none@invalid.com>
    writes
    On 22/12/2025 15:17, Ottavio Caruso wrote:
    Am 20.12.25 um 23:23 schrieb Ian Jackson:
    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3 >>>callsigns.
    Huh? How do you do that and why should I do that?


    Learn Morse and you'll understand why.

    If I was a morse enthusiast, I'd hate to have a callsign like MM0FMF
    (nothing personal!) - and, of course, there are probably those that are
    even more cumbersome.
    --
    Ian
    Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From mm0fmf@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 22:09:33
    On 23/12/2025 17:26, Ian Jackson wrote:
    In message <10icgep$3rs6i$1@dont-email.me>, mm0fmf <none@invalid.com>
    writes
    On 22/12/2025 15:17, Ottavio Caruso wrote:
    Am 20.12.25 um 23:23 schrieb Ian Jackson:
    Some M0s are swapping their callsigns for generally unissued G5+3
    callsigns.
    ˙Huh? How do you do that and why should I do that?


    Learn Morse and you'll understand why.

    If I was a morse enthusiast, I'd hate to have a callsign like MM0FMF (nothing personal!) - and, of course, there are probably those that are
    even more cumbersome.

    That's why I changed it! If I wanted to pretend I was some super
    old-timer then I would have used the G3PYU club call I've held since 2008.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 14:11:59
    On 23/12/2025 15:41, A. non Eyemouse wrote:
    On 23/12/2025 09:52, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:54:54 +0000
    mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:

    On 21/12/2025 19:23, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:39:27 +0000
    brian <nospam@b-howie.co.uk> wrote:
    There was a security scare because the call book contained names
    and addressees if I recall

    That was Duncan Campbell, the journalist, who was licensed himself.
    He worked out that those G5 calls were clustered around certain
    places and was able to identify them as Fylingdales, Menwith Hill
    and a few others. The MoD had a conniption once it was realised and
    these callsigns were changed to G0 I think, but not directly with
    the same suffix.
    No, the G5 calls were simply cancelled. Former G5 holders could sit
    the RAE if they wanted. Otherwise they got nothing.

    I believe they were able to get reciprocal licences as before, but just
    not with a clearly recognisable prefix.


    I knew someone with a G5B?? who was issued a G0. I don't believe he was required to sit the RAE and 12wpm morse test for his G0.



    That probably depended on the basis his G5 licence had been issued.
    If he'd held the equivalent of an A licence and used that to obtain the reciprocal, then that would have filled the requirements for a G0.

    However, I'm sure some G5s were B licences. A friend, a US citizen who
    lived here, passed the UK RAE (I suspect in the early 1980s) had a G5.
    In (about) 1986 or so, when they cancelled the G5 series, he was allowed
    to keep it until the G0 with his initials 'came around' and he'd been
    learning Morse to qualify for it. Otherwise, he would be issued a
    licence from the B series at the time (G1?), which, as I recall, had
    already passed his initials.

    Not really an issue of course, other than historical accuracy.


    Phasing out of G5 was nothing to do with security etc. It was intended
    to be part of a longer term plan to deal with demand. Like so many other thinks the Civil Service / Civil Service type organisations it was
    started and not finished. I vaguely recall mention of other series being mentioned but how 'real' these were is anyone's guess. (Including 're-designation' of G9.)

    While the MOD had identified a potential issue with amateurs and
    security, it dated back to the late 1960s when a G3 called Britten had
    spied for the Russians. They had, it was claimed, used his callsign, to approach him initially.

    Some amateurs working in the defense industry were advised to be
    'particulars withheld' although it seems this wasn't universal.
















    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, December 25, 2025 13:51:36
    On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:11:59 +0000
    Brian <inv@lid.com> wrote:

    Phasing out of G5 was nothing to do with security etc. It was
    intended to be part of a longer term plan to deal with demand. Like
    so many other thinks the Civil Service / Civil Service type
    organisations it was started and not finished.

    All this may have been to do with the licences being shifted from the
    Home Office, who administered them from 1974 after the GPO was no
    longer a government department, over to the Department for Trade and
    Industry during the late 1980s. I don't remember the exact dates, but
    the Radiocommunications Agency appeared in 1991 and the DTI radio
    licence fees document dates from 1988.

    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, December 25, 2025 14:04:09
    On 25/12/2025 13:51, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:11:59 +0000
    Brian <inv@lid.com> wrote:

    Phasing out of G5 was nothing to do with security etc. It was
    intended to be part of a longer term plan to deal with demand. Like
    so many other thinks the Civil Service / Civil Service type
    organisations it was started and not finished.

    All this may have been to do with the licences being shifted from the
    Home Office, who administered them from 1974 after the GPO was no
    longer a government department, over to the Department for Trade and
    Industry during the late 1980s. I don't remember the exact dates, but
    the Radiocommunications Agency appeared in 1991 and the DTI radio
    licence fees document dates from 1988.



    Quite possibly.

    I suspect, when the various departments 'moved around' some staff
    decided to go with the role, others stayed with the previous
    department, some probably left. Certainly when things change in industry
    that is what happens.

    As a result, unless someone 'picks up' work that isn't finished, it
    drops down a hole.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Brian Morrison@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, December 25, 2025 14:21:15
    On Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:04:09 +0000
    Brian <inv@lid.com> wrote:

    On 25/12/2025 13:51, Brian Morrison wrote:
    On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:11:59 +0000
    Brian <inv@lid.com> wrote:

    Phasing out of G5 was nothing to do with security etc. It was
    intended to be part of a longer term plan to deal with demand. Like
    so many other thinks the Civil Service / Civil Service type
    organisations it was started and not finished.

    All this may have been to do with the licences being shifted from
    the Home Office, who administered them from 1974 after the GPO was
    no longer a government department, over to the Department for Trade
    and Industry during the late 1980s. I don't remember the exact
    dates, but the Radiocommunications Agency appeared in 1991 and the
    DTI radio licence fees document dates from 1988.



    Quite possibly.

    I suspect, when the various departments 'moved around' some staff
    decided to go with the role, others stayed with the previous
    department, some probably left. Certainly when things change in
    industry that is what happens.

    Industry tends to try and predict the likely problems and at least
    attempt to minimise the difficulties, although perhaps not always fully successfully.


    As a result, unless someone 'picks up' work that isn't finished, it
    drops down a hole.

    Government departments and the civil service are rather good at this,
    because quite frequently there is no one there who has any
    responsibility to and pick up the pieces and no interest in doing so.


    --

    Brian Morrison "No, his mind is not for rent
    To any god or government
    Always hopeful, but discontent
    He knows changes aren't permanent
    But change is"


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, January 18, 2026 13:10:32
    On Sun, 14 Dec 2025 09:32:10 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <mq555sF44j4U5@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.

    In years to come, when Gareth is singing with the Welsh Choir
    Invisible, some poor sap is going to bag G4SDW and think they've got themselves a plum call, until they Google themselves...

    Actually, sKumbag-evans has bean noticeable by his absence recently and
    his birthday is just around the corner. I've checked the Wiltshire
    Gazette obits - nothing, so far.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bernie@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, January 18, 2026 13:12:03
    On Sun, 14 Dec 2025 18:11:36 +0000
    Brian Morrison <news@fenrir.org.uk> wrote:

    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:39:49 +0000
    Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    In short, CHatgpt says no probs. So how about uk.politics.moderated
    with 24/7, no delay, unbiased AI moderation? The white heat of
    technology doing away with outdated methods. I think that idea would
    excite Ribbens.

    Not if if meant he couldn't apply arbitrary socialist censorship when
    he felt like it.


    The way he picks on Poor Old Burt...

    shocking.....


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From scole@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, January 31, 2026 13:12:46
    In article <mt44e9F1vjiU1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie
    <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sun, 14 Dec 2025 09:32:10 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <mq555sF44j4U5@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

    On Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:29:26 +0100
    vintageapplemac@gmail.com (scole) wrote:

    In article <Dyo7DbHS40NpFw0K@brattleho.plus.com>, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.co.uk> wrote:

    In message <mpbiclFpr04U1@mid.individual.net>, Bernie <bernie.usenet@gmail.com> writes


    Ian's still with us, or was until quite recently.

    Yes - still here!

    Good to hear! Hope you're keeping well Ian!

    I've got to stick around to prevent any newbie
    snaffling my Class-A G3 callsign!.

    It's safe from me, I like my M0.

    I might apply for G8DXY.

    In years to come, when Gareth is singing with the Welsh Choir
    Invisible, some poor sap is going to bag G4SDW and think they've got themselves a plum call, until they Google themselves...

    Actually, sKumbag-evans has bean noticeable by his absence recently and
    his birthday is just around the corner. I've checked the Wiltshire
    Gazette obits - nothing, so far.

    I've just had a quick Google and nothing yet - will keep my eyes peeled.

    I do have another copy of his "poetry" book kicking around, bought it a
    while ago after giving my first copy to Frank TS* with the intention to
    scan and upload it to archive.org and put "Prostetnic Vogon Evans" as the author name to wind him up, but never got round to it. If he has snuffed
    it, it'll be worth more now - I might get a quid for it on eBay instead of
    just the 99p starting bid...

    *Speaking of Frank TS, I read some of his old posts recently calling
    Gareth all the cunts under the sun and causing Evans to have yet another meltdown - a narkive link to it had popped up in a radio search I made.
    Made me smile. Good old Frank.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)