Talk tonight

For the first time since before my stroke in 2013, I am giving a talk to the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). The talk is by Zoom only in view of the bad weather. I have prepared the slides and someone else is voicing my notes. 

It is a bit of an experiment. Zoom details are (I think) on the CDARC website.  All being well, I shall try to answer questions verbally, but I may have to resort to Zoom chat.

The talk is entitled" Fun With Amateur Radio". It is quite wide ranging. I am pretty sure visitors to the Zoom talk would be welcomed. Talks usually start at 2000z.

The usual style is people mute (apart from the speaker) and unmute if they have questions, or use the Zoom chat facility.

Most club talks are also via Zoom, so you could join CDARC even if you live in Australia! Annual subscriptions are very reasonable. In the past we have had speakers and viewers from many parts of the planet.

See https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86735471090 .

AGMs and Zoom

Just now, I attended the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) AGM by Zoom. This was a hybrid meeting with some there in person and some remotely via Zoom. I no longer (if I can avoid it) drive at night.

As for previous lectures, the Zoom worked really well, including voting by putting a hand up.

This hybrid format really suits me as I can take an active part in club activities even though unable to get in. In the past we have had speakers and listeners across oceans.

Canon Powershot Zoom - NOT amateur radio

Just occasionally, I see a product that sort of "connects". One such is the Canon Powershop Zoom Monocular. 

It is a monocular and a zoom camera. It is available from several sources. 

As I already have micro-SD cards and a USB-C lead and charger, I would only need to buy the basic camera.

The future of radio clubs

For several years radio clubs have been unable to meet because of Covid-19. Some turned to Zoom and found it far better than many expected. I have been very impressed how good these meetings have been. With Zoom all participants can chat and see each other if they wish.

The Cambridge Club has started meeting again in person, but has held "virtual" meetings, so that people at home can still see the talks and take part. As I am really unable to drive far by car at night, I have joined the last 2 meetings by Zoom.

Last night there were far more people on Zoom than in person! I just wonder if this is the future of radio clubs? The advantage of Zoom is speakers and listeners can be anywhere in the world. In the past, CDARC has had people give talks from Canada. With screen sharing this has been really good. We have had viewers from all sorts of places, from where they would be totally unable to attend in person.

What I wonder is should clubs do talks via Zoom with "in person" meet ups, say, once a month? No need to hire rooms, members could be from across the world, they could have lower fees. For those without PCs, people could get together in each other's homes. Social meetings could be in a pub or someone's home.

Zoom meetings

In the last few years, we have all got used to Zoom video meetings. 

Speaking personally, I have been very impressed with Zoom meetings. I cannot really drive at night - well I certainly do not like it - and Zoom meetings suit me well. When screens are shared it is like being in the same room.

Every two weeks, the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) arrranges a Zoom talk. Tonight's talk was watched from a campsite in Scotland and a few weeks ago we had someone in Canada watching.  A few months ago he gave the talk!

I hope the CDARC continues with Zoom meetings after they return to meetings in person.

Zoom success

Last evening the Cambridge club (CDARC) had another Zoom talk.  This time it was by Martin G3ZAY, who writes the HF column in RadCom, on the activation of rare Scottish islands for SOTA. 

It was again excellent. By sharing the speaker's screen you can see slides perfectly.  I am totally impressed by how good these virtual talks are. It is good as speakers and viewers can be anywhere without the need to travel. Potentially members could be in New Zealand or China, or anywhere.

Personally I would be happy for these talks to continue on Zoom, for membership fees to be reduced, and a social gathering in a pub or cafe say every month.

Zoom "dinner" - NOT amateur radio

Last night, because of Covid-19, we had another "virtual" dinner on Zoom with old work friends. Since we have not been able to meet in person every month, we have had Zoom meetings instead. We are encouraged  to bring our own drinks! 

Surprisingly, these have been pretty effective: not as good as chatting in person over a real meal, but better than nothing. Zoom allows everyone to see and hear everyone. 

We even had a deaf member last night. Lipreading with Zoom was a challenge and a lot of use was made of the typed "chat" feature!

CDARC (Cambridge) talk

Last evening, the Cambridge radio club had another Zoom talk, this time on the monitoring station at Baldock. 

This time, we also had a viewer in Russia! On previous times we have been watched in Canada and Northern Ireland. In all, 29 people attended.

Zoom has exceeded my expectations. Attendance is at least as good as a face-to-face meetings. At least with Zoom, the whole world can watch!

Another CDARC Zoom talk

The Cambridge radio club has another Zoom talk at 2000z tonight. These have all been excellent. 

Tonight's talk is on "Operating from South Atlantic Islands" by Martin G3ZAY.  I think he writes the HF column in RadCom, the RSGB magazine.

I have been pleasantly surprised how effective these talks are. We can all see each other and most sessions have at least as many people as a face-to-face meeting, with the added advantage that those people far away can still take part.

Some months ago we had a quiz with a club in N.Ireland and we have had members in Canada and Germany at times.

Details of CDARC are on the website.  See http://www.cdarc.org.uk/ .

Another successful Zoom talk

Last night, the Cambridge radio club (CDARC) had another well attended Zoom talk. Yet again this included a member in Canada. The talk was by Ray G4FON on learning Morse code, using his highly successful training course based on the Koch method. The secret seems to be to hear the sound of the letters much as a foreign language and not to try to write it down.

I am a great fan of Zoom as we can enjoy the talks from the comfort of our own homes. Also, people around the world can take part. Of course, by holding "virtual" meetings, we miss the face-to-face contacts, but Zoom with video is far better than I expected.

See http://www.g4fon.net/CW%20Trainer2.php

Zoom - NOT amateur radio

2020 will go down as the year of Zoom. Until earlier this year many of us had not heard of this. Now most of us are familiar with it. Many of us have used it for virtual family meetings. Some have used it for work and some for school lessons.

Whatever, 2020 will go down as the year of virtual meetings, not all of which went to plan as this BBC video shows! 

Overall, I have been impressed by Zoom meetings. When the pandemic is over I quite expect Zoom meetings to still be popular.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-55375825

Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) and Zoom

Like many, CDARC has been using Zoom video calls to continue lectures and, last week, for a quiz. I have been very impressed. 

At first, I wondered how this would be, but with 15-30 people typically and screen sharing it has been every bit as good as attending in person. In my case it saves a 26 mile car journey in the dark. Instead I can take part from home. 

The club has even shared meetings with a club in Northern Ireland and last week we had someone in Canada.

Several Zoom meetings with old work mates have also happened with Zoom. Although some are complaining of Zoom Fatigue, I can't agree. To me, Zoom has been an eye opener. I hope CDARC continues to stream lectures by Zoom, when the pandemic is a memory.

Virtual radio clubs?

Many of us have been pleasantly surprised just how successful radio club meetings and talks have been over Zoom. 

It would not surprise me if several radio clubs adopt this as a permanent model to replace club meetings, especially if rooms have to be hired. 

Many like the social interaction of a physical meeting especially if they live alone. However, it means people from across the world can join a club for talks or informal meetings.

It would be interesting to hear your views.

Cambridge Club (CDARC) Zoom meeting

As the Cambridge club cannot meet as usual every 2 weeks, it is meeting virtually instead. The last sessions were on the local repeater GB3PI with the prior approval of the repeater group. Tonight there is a talk with slides by Gavin M1BXF which is on Zoom.

UPDATE 2152z: It was excellent.

Zoom - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago I had not even heard of Zoom. Now, I have been to 2 online meetings of the Cambridge club (CDARC) and Zoom video has allowed our family to get together virtually at Easter. Certainly many of us have enjoyed the benefits of video conferencing.  Like never before, online video is important.