These last few days I have been in South Devon visiting my brother.
For some reason it feels different. For many years I have tried to recreate some memories from years ago. This time I have accepted these as good memories that I can never repeat, just accept.
This is the biggest gathering of radio amateurs in Europe. An old work colleague who lives in Devon goes most years. I was hoping to see him in Devon, so need to change when I come in 2026.
As I said several days ago, my dad was a flight engineer in a Pathfinder squadron in Lancasters in WW2. He was a very brave man who did not like to talk about the war. This is the cockpit.
Most of my teenage years were in Kingsbridge in Devon shown in the photo. The Main Street is Fore Street, a steep hill that keeps you fit!
The bunting is for Fair Week as there has been been a fair here for centuries.It’s at the head of an estuary and quieter than its neighbour Salcombe where I also lived long ago.
It is far too expensive and lacks features the IC-705 has had for years. Before it was released I seriously considered trading my IC-705 in for this new radio. Like many, I shall stick with the IC-705.
I really think Yaesu is floundering around.
It is not yet available in Europe and just a few weeks after launching it in the USA, they have released a firmware update. I am not at all impressed. Even the firmware update looks messy.
Yaesu get your act together, and very soon, or the market will judge you harshly.
Early in my design career I was involved in the design of internal antennas. At the time Sinclair was developing a tiny TV and was considering a joint development on ICs.
At that time he asked me (yes me!!) for advice on antennas!
On the subject of Sinclair, I recall a Micromatic kit being donated as a raffle prize in our radio club dinner in the late 1960s. Anyone make one?