It’s Friday!

That is a grand photo, Keith. I was a Brownie when I was a little girl, but I think I would have preferred your Scout Jamboree radio.
Is that you in the background? You remind me a bit of Trevor Howard.

I always fancied becoming a Radio Amateur. By the time I was in a position to take it up, the age of the internet was upon us. The rest, as they say, is history.

Yes it is a fine picture. Does amateur radio still continue or has it been completely overtaken by things like the internet and Skype? I suppose there will still be some people who are attached to the older technology – like the people who still use film in their cameras.

I was fascinated by amateur radio and joined cubs but never stayed long enough to get into Scouts.

Seems I miss a lot.

My husband was a scout leader for ten years and headed the jamboree here several years sgo. I think it’s a shame they made you retire from your scouting activities at sixty-five. Today’s youngsters would benefit greatly from a man like you.

This was a wonderful experience to be part of. I was in the Camp Fire Girls. I didn’t learn anything near as useful as radio, although I learned badges galore. Hooray for you!

Hi Keith, great photo and story. I am pleased to meet ya. Several years ago I worked night shift as a nurse several miles from home and had a CB radio so as to be able to contact others as I was traveling back and forth. No cells then, of course. My handle was ‘Lady Nightengale” not very original but it was great for security. We have quite a ham radio operation in my little town. Stop by my neck of the woods for a visit.
QMM

My newly discovered sister is involved with Guides and Cubs so she’s kept pretty busy. It’s something I missed out on – always wanted to be a Brownie but wasn’t allowed.

Wow…that is a great photo! I recognized you immediately…even with the hair! LOL! And now your email address makes so much more sense!

Wonderful picture. I can just imagine being there and the excitement of talking to other people around the world.

“It’s G3FUW, Syd, who was instrumental in helping me to the standard required to get a transmitting licence.”

You and me both!! I’d guess there was very little if anything Syd Webster didn’t know about radio, and he helped countless numbers of enthusiasts over the years. I think I first met him via my aunt’s best friend Cynthia’s husband Syd Hutt, a keen SWL’er (Short Wave radio Listener) who had known him for many years. (As a footnote, Cynthia’s sister and brother-in-law had the Barley Sheaf pub in Hinckley in the 1960′s/70′s).

Back in the mid 1980′s I lead a small group of Radio Amateurs in the Bedworth area of Coventry to set up and run a Scout Jamboree On The Air for the local Scout Group there. It was hard work! But it was so very rewarding to see the youngsters’ enthusiasm wanting to be involved in it all.

(Kevin G8FYK)

What a wonderful hobby! (you have the profile of a god, Keith)

I’m underwhelmed by all the nice comments to this post!

John G: Go away!

Poetikat: You can now join the Scouts, they accept the opposite female sex now!

Martin: I think that Amateur Radio is in it’s death throes now. As you say t’internet is taking over. I must admit that I spend more time on the net than I should.

Alan B: “..people who still use film in their cameras..” and I strongly suspect that Kevin (G8FYK) still uses bright filament valves in his transmitters!

Barry: You did indeed miss a lot. I was in the Wolf Cubs in 1946. went up into the Boy Scouts in 1948, then became a Senior Scout and finally a Scout Master. Honestly I have never had so much fun since my leg went septic during the war!

Nana Jo: As I said I don’t think I would like to be involved with the Scouts now because of the publics’ mindset nowadays that all old men are “child molesters”, “pervs” and “paedophiles”!

Enchanted Oak: I must admit that I’ve never heard of “Camp Fire Girls” (Do they need any Leaders? Because I’m free!)

Sandy: I like Brownies;I think they are delicious! How’s the chicken farming going?

Betsy: No, you didn’t recognise me. I was handsome, dashing and debonair in those days; now I’m just a Grumpy Old Git, you ask John G, my drinking buddy at the “Merrie Monk” pub (see first comment)

Christine: Excitement? EXCITEMENT? No, quite the opposite, it was bloody boring, boring.

Kevin ‘In Salford cos I was deported out of Hinckley’: If you kew Syd, then we must have met at some point, but I can’t remember you. I might recognise you by sight, so take down that silly photo and put a modern one on your ‘very little used’ blogpage!

Willow: Profile of a God? Who? Satan?

What a great candid shot. We have acquaintances who are involved with amateur radio, but I’ve never seen the equipment. Looks interesting.

That is a neat photo of such a popular activity. I am sure you have enjoyed all those years on the airwaves. It was the pre internet facebook days in sort of a way.

I knew which was you;)

Fabulous snap, and a wonderful story, Keith. My cub scout days are a distant memory now, and I don’t recall us doing this, but I do recall bearing the flag on remembrance day once, and a big camp in Gilwell Park. Like Pat I recognised you straight away. As all the nicest people say, “you haven’t changed a bit”

Thank you for dropping by my blog. You have a fascinating take on things–I thoroughly enjoyed every word. Have a perfectly wonderful week–what’s left of it!