Components, complaints and complacency

Whilst reading a few issues of Wireless World from the world radio museum web site, I wondered about the issue that happened on my 21st birthday month. Reading the editorial rang a very loud bell! If it reads familiar to you enjoy the feeling. JB ZS6WL

We are constantly receiving letters from private individuals who are finding it impossible to obtain supplies of certain components and whose pleas to manufacturers and distributors are met with stony silence. Even the small company, not in the electronics field, which requires a special component for a one-off job—and which has the advantage of a company letter heading—sometimes receives the same treatment.

One of our correspondents, who was starting a small company, claimed he was asked for two trade references and the name of his bankers, and that was only in order to receive a catalogue!

However, component supply is the result and not the cause of the problem, the whole attitude of the electronics industry towards the private experimenter and the amateur is one of non-co-operation to the point of scorn. Why is this, when many of yesteryear’s major innovations in radio and electronics emanated from the results of work carried out on a kitchen table?

In those days the amateur and the professional (often one and the same person) were working on similar problems and there was a mutual respect. The technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since then and industry is staffed with people who more than likely do not have an amateur background and who have no appreciation of the problems and frustrations that can face anyone trying to work on his own for interest, self-education or amusement.

Because of the great amount of publicity given to electronics, and the aura of mystery surrounding it in the eyes of the layman, more people are taking a practical interest. This has led to manufacturers and distributors being bombarded with letters requesting the solution to private electronic problems, many of which are nonsensical or frivolous, and others could have been answered easily if the writer had shown a little initiative or visited a good library.

To answer all these queries would cost a company a great deal and what would they get in return? Perhaps an order for two or three components, the value of which may be less than the cost of the handling.

By making their components generally available on the retail market, to be bought by people who may not be qualified to use them, a company feels that it is inviting the sort of costly correspondence mentioned. The reason for the reticence in this respect can be understood.

All this has led to the present ultra-low status of the amateur in the eyes of industry and the reluctance of many concerns to accept small orders.

The industry does, however, have a responsibility to the public, even if it is only to
maintain its own image, and attempts must be made to give assistance in genuine cases. Refusals because of a couldn’t-care-less attitude can never be justified and small losses should be accepted at times.

Manufacturers could easily set up machinery to ensure that their products can be sold on the retail market through a distributor. Because of the difficulty in assessing the possible quantities required perhaps some sort of sale or return arrangement could be operated with the distributor. At the present time many components are completely unobtainable on the retail market.

In addition, all private individuals seriously interested in electronics should put their own house in order, and as a first step may well think of joining a club. If there is not one in the area—start one. The answer to nearly all the problems likely to trouble the experimenter could be found amongst a group of people with a common aim. Particularly difficult problems could be made club projects. Benefits could be reaped in terms of central facilities, pooled test equipment, tools and literature.

A great deal of useful work can be done by a well-run organisation of this nature and the local community can benefit. For instance, club projects could aid local handicapped people, small electronic systems for local firms could be designed and constructed (power supplies, control systems, photo-electric switches etc.). Often these firms can advantageously use electronic equipment, but, because only a one-off is required, it is uneconomic to employ professionals to do the job.

The companies who supply components would, we feel sure, be more than willing to assist such organisations so long as things were done on a business-like basis. A good example of the sort of co-operation that can be achieved is to be seen in the components list for the Logic Display Aid in this issue.

From: Wireless-World 1969-06 pg69

amateur radio ladies yl.beam #143 aug. 2025

Contents

• International Dog Day   26 August 2025
• Out-and-About
• Missouri Yls at  SPARK- CON, ARRL Midwest Div. Convention
• LABRE-DF at the Inauguration of the New Brazilian Army Communications School  
• Brazil's National Day of Telecommunications
• CVA DX  HF CONTEST
• S/k   Vi Barrett W6CBA  & VE3WAD Jean Moffett
• Contacts & Calendar

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International Dog Day   26 August 2025
The participating stations will be on the air during August
K2D - USA team callsign
YL1DOG; DL0DOG ; DA0DOG ; GB4DOG
Find out more about bands, modes and exact dates from QRZ.com pages
where available. Also look at Hamlog.Online
https://www.dogdayradio.org/stations_2025.html
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Congratulations
YLRL presented Jan O'Brien, K6HHD, with a special certificate honouring her 68 years as a member of YLRL.  She has been a ham since 1954 and joined YLRL in 1957.
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Out-and-About
From 16 to 28 September 2025, Tom - K0YA and his XYL Antoinette - W5RCX will be active again as V4/K0YA and V4/W5RCX, respectively, from the QTH of V47JA in Calypso Bay,St. Kitts & Nevis;  from 16 to 28 September 2025. Activity will be in "holiday" mode from 10 to 160m on CW, SSB and FT8.
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Missouri Yls at  SPARK- CON, ARRL Midwest Div. Convention
We are helping host the ARRL midwest division convention October 10-11, 2025 in Sedalia Missouri (USA). I would love to help support more women on the air and plan a  display table and hope to obtain a speaker for the event.
For more information please contact Jen Albright, N0VVX  KE0VFG@gmail.com 
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Martin Butera (PT2ZDX) & Terezinha (PT2TF) centre above
LABRE-DF at the Inauguration of the New Brazilian Army Communications School  
Strengthening Ties: Martin Butera (PT2ZDX) had the honour of participating in two important events on May 5, 2025 at the invitation of the Army's Communications and Electronic Warfare Commander,  Representing all radio amateurs from the Federal District (FD) and surrounding areas, we were present at the inauguration of the new facilities of the Army Communications School (EsCom), on a particularly symbolic date: Communications Day, which pays homage to the patron, Marshal Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. (note 1)
The morning ceremony was marked by emotion and reunion. We had the presence of our dear Terezinha (PT2TF), the eternal "Queen of the Air", a special guest accompanied by her family.
The evening ended with a celebratory dinner, cordially sealing a day that marked the return of a relationship that we consider strategic. We are very happy to emphasize that this moment represents the  commitment made by this LABRE-DF administration: to re-establish and strengthen ties with EsCom, after a period of separation.
We believe in uniting efforts between military and civilian communications. We have confirmed our partnership in the next 'Green and Yellow' Competition, in August 2025.  Our team, made up of more than ten LABRE-DF operators, will be alongside EsCom to collaborate on all fronts. (notes 2,3)  full article + more pics RadioZS p108-111  
https://mysarl.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Radio-ZS-June-2025.pdf 

(note 1) Marshal Cândido Rondon  (1865-1958) is revered as the Patron Saint of Communications in Brazil, a title bestowed upon him for his pivotal role in extending telegraph lines across the nation, thereby connecting previously isolated regions and laying the groundwork for modern telecommunications. May 5th, his birthdate, is celebrated as Brazil's National Day of Telecommunications in his honour.
(note 2) GREEN and YELLOW International HF Contest  CVA DX  HF CONTEST
The Green and Yellow DX Contest (in Portuguese CVA DX HF Contest) is one of the Brazilian’s most important amateur radio events, now in its 66th edition (2025), which reflects its long-standing tradition. The CVA DX Contest always takes place on the third full weekend of August for CW (Morse Code) and the fourth full weekend of August for SSB (Voice).
The CVA DX Contest aims to foster friendship among radio amateurs and amateur radio organisations - both civilian and military - from around the world.
It also seeks to engage radio amateurs in the commemorative activities of the Brazilian Soldier's Week, high-lighting events related to August 25th and honouring the image of Duque de Caxias, the patron of the Brazilian Army.
Known as the Green and Yellow Contest or CVA DX Contest, it holds the title of the most traditional amateur radio contest in Brazilian history. Over more than 50 years, it has developed progressively, aligning with the formats of global contests. The Brazilian Army, through the Brazilian Army School of Communications, promotes amateur radio practice and recognises its importance in the country's development. Through over half a century of contests, it demonstrates Brazil's affection and enthusiasm for the CVA DX Contest. Since opening its doors to the world in 2011, the CVA DX Contest has rapidly gained international recognition, showing the importance of amateur radio in Brazil to the global community
Aug 16 -17  CVA DX CW – 2025.  Third full weekend of August. (CW);
Aug 23 - 24, CVA DX  SSB  – 2025.   Fourth full weekend of August. (SSB);

(note 3) Soldier's Day is celebrated on August 25, the anniversary of the birth of Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, patron of the Brazilian Army.
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Silent Keys - Tradition is not preserving the ashes but passing on the flame.  
 
VE3WAD Jean Moffett (nee Waddington) S/k age 101
(August 12,1923 - April 14, 2025)
long time OSC (Ontario Science Centre) Volunteer of 43 years  Jean Moffett VE3WAD, 4 months shy of her 102 Birthday, Jean passed at home after a fall. Everyone that knew her will miss her voice on the radio and her personality in the VE3OSC Ham Shack.  
With over 40 years of dedicated service, she holds the special honour of being Ontario Science Centre longest-serving volunteer. She started as a volunteer school group greeter before becoming a HAM radio operator, VE3WAD, whose voice and call sign were known around the world.
As one of the few female operators on the air, her charm, warmth and love of a good story made her a popular contact.
One of Jean’s greatest wishes was to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which finally came true in January 2020, (at age 96) at the Ontario Science Centre, she got to go even further when together with a group of students, she spoke with Commander Luca Parmitano  KF5KDP.
She was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. (It is the highest honour for volunteer service that an individual can receive within the Canadian Honours System.)
Jean was still volunteering last year (2024) at the age of 101. She said the opportunity to operate the radio with— and for visitors — was the best thing to ever happen to her. (As of June 28 2024 The Ontario Science Centre VE3OSC was closed by the Provincial Government.)
Jean was born in Ottawa, Canada and spent her childhood years in North Bay with younger siblings. Jean met her husband, Joe Moffett (1924-91), while working in Toronto as a secretary at CNR. Their two girls, Mary Ellen  and Jane were raised in Leaside. Jean will be dearly missed by grand and great-grandchildren

We wished Jean 'Happy 100 Birthday' in yl.beam #119 aug 2023
The link below is still good (original date FEBRUARY 7, 2023) shortly before her 100th birthday. Her enthusiasm reaches across time and space.

https://globalnews.ca/video/9468921/ontario-science-centre-volunteer-set-to-celebrate-100th-birthday/?fbclid=IwAR1tiPi9OQ80T7NMnTwWptMbJTtUFuOGZ0RVbXichec0hmMqyxhIwdGmrB

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Vi Barrett W6CBA on a KFBI visit in 2000     

Silent Key - Vi Barrett W6CBA   [August 26, 1929. - 16 April 2024] age 94
Age 19 She received her ham radio license on February 14, 1948  W6CBA, General Class.
The use and knowledge of radio equipment also aided her in getting her first job as a dispatcher in the Los Angeles office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.(FBI) Vi was the first woman  FBI radio dispatcher she worked in the Los Angeles office for over six years.  
After getting married in 1954, Barrett left the FBI, but not her beloved ham radio. Like his father-in-law before him, soon her husband was on the roof erecting an antenna.
In January 1981 a group of  Mulberry School fifth graders took a short trip to the home of Violet Barrett, an East Whittier City School District employee and the president of the Rio Hondo Amateur Radio Club.
While it all looked like fun and games to the children, the serious side of Amateur Radio operation was also explained. “During the Vietnam war, I was among several West Coast ham operators who made regular calls to the hospital ship USS Sanctuary off the coast of Vietnam,” said Barrett.
During the calls she would patch together a radio signal with the telephone line so wounded service men could reassure local relatives who only knew there had been an injury, but not its extent.
Still, for Vi Barrett service never stops.She remained 'radio-active' until the end.

YL Forum at 2019 Visalia International DX Convention  YLRL District 6
Vi age 90, 65 yrs marriage. 70 yrs ham , cw instructer,
11 May 2019  Episode 249 - Vi Barrett – W6CBA     

https://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/w6cba

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CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know, otherwise you are likely to miss out.
 yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
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Calendar
Aug 1 – 31  WWFF (World Wide Flora & Fauna) August Activity Month 2025
Aug 7          NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY  USA
Aug 9 - 10  WAE  CW Worked All Europe DX Contest, 2nd full weekend August.
Aug 9 - 16   YOTA Camp  Youngsters on the Air Belgium and UBA.
Aug 12         International Youth Day
Aug 14         St. Maximilian Kolbe Dabrow aka SP3RN, patron saint of Amateur Radio
Aug 14         “Día  del Radioaficionado Chileno”  celebrated since 2016
Aug 15         SYLRA 22 Birthday, 2025
Aug 18 – 25 YOTA Summer Camp 2025. 13th edition in France. Jambville, Paris.
Aug 16 – 17   TC88YL Türkiye  YL Event  2025.
Aug 16 – 17  ILLW (International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend)  3rd weekend July
Aug 16 - 17   CVA DX CW – 2025.
Aug 16 – 22  22nd IARU World ARDF Championships 2025, Birštonas, Lithuania
Aug 23 - 24  CVA DX  SSB  – 2025.
Aug 23 - 24   JARL Ham Fair 2025, Ariake GYM-EX Exhibition Center.
Aug 26          International Dog Day  
Aug  28 - 31   DNAT in Bad Bentheim  (Duits Nederlands Amateur Treffen)
Aug 30           Region 1 Field Day SSB, 2025
Aug 30-31      A.L.A.R.A. 45th Contest  (Australian Ladies AR Assoc.) last FULL weekend  Aug
                       Sat.  30th Aug  0600 hours UTC -  Sun 31st Aug 0559 hours UTC
Aug  30-31     YL's of Chile  7th  anniversary (2018)  Yankee Lima Chile group 

Sept 5 -7 Handiham Radio Camp 2025
Oct 10-11, Missouri Yls at ARRL Midwest Div. Convention