The latest edition of Rad Com, the RSGB's glossy magazine, is out.
Earlier in the year, I was sufficiently impressed with the improvements in writing style and content that I sent a note to the editor of Rad Com.
A few months later, we're back to square one.
This month's cover says it all. An elderly establishment figure standing-in for Prince Phillip, who's on his last legs, mulling over the displays at the National Radio Centre, or whatever it's called. Flick through the pages, and ne'er a man under 60 can be seen. Women merely appears as wives. Sepia images of the centenary dinner, as though anyone actually gave a toss. And I really, really am fed-up of seeing the NRC plastered everywhere in the RSGB's desperate and continuing attempts to justify the ludicrous sums of members' money spent on it (now devalued to about half of that paid.)
Yes, Rad Com is back to the good old days of terrible, often obscure writing, content and a focus that just can't get away from old-man-in-shack-builds-RF-meter type stuff. There's an article about a reliable power meter that one could build, but is written in such a crap style, it ends up being the usual put-off for anyone who hasn't spent 90% of their lives sweating over a soldering iron.
Read this, Rad Com: Not being a qualified radio engineer isn't a crime. Amateur radio is not professional radio. The days of 'better than thou' due to background, money or simply callsign, are over. No, really, they are. It's just you haven't woken up to it yet.
Why on earth can't Rad Com, when it comes to circuits, publish both the circuit diagram and a diagram for noddy folk like me, with the actual components required - plus where you can get them from - so that beginners and those who operate but don't normally build can get on with it? That way, us simpletons would learn. We're good at that. That's how we passed our licence exam(s.)
It seems the answer is that the old-timers are often dismissive of people not as earnest about the hobby as they. This is a pity, because like all exclusivity-driven agendas, it is killing the hobby and killing it fast. I have moaned about this before and, no doubt, will do so again as amateur radio rides the hill down towards oblivion borne of its failure to appeal to and engage with newcomers and those not retiring from the comms industry.
It really is time the RSGB pulled its head out of its 100 year-old backside and start dealing with the very real problems of an ageing, dwindling membership. It has very little time left to do so.
When the ship is taking on water, you spend all your effort plugging the hole. You don't ignore it and start buying new upholstery for the saloon. Take note, all ye RSGB 'worthies'.
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