| |
G4EBT > ANT 07.08.06 18:02l 146 Lines 5336 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 3B2476G4EBT
Read: GUEST DO3MCA DL7NDF DK1ZZ
Subj: Re: Results are confirmed!
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<F6KMO<F5GI<DK0WUE<GB7FCR
Sent: 060807/1344Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:53829 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:3B2476G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : ANT@WW
The redoubtable Felix, HB9ABX wrote:-
> My published results have been confirmed by
> several builders of the RoomCap antenna.
> Here follows the mail I received from Belgium:
> On Sonday, I've done the first test with the roomcap
> antenna on 14 MC. I've did the test with a
> - roomcap antenna, 80 cm above the ground.
> - Microvert 3 m above the ground.
> The results with the two antenna's:
> -the roomcap antenna = +1,5 S punt -- +3 S punt better.
I couldn't help but have a little chortle at that last statement.
Ordinarily, I can't abode people who trawl other people's bulletins for
spelling errors, then correct them and re-send them as "corrected
homework" for all the world to see. It's enough to make you sic. (sic).
I guess that "S punt" for S Point may not be a spelling error in any
event. Not being Austrian or Swiss I wouldn't know. However, bearing in
mind Felix's repeated efforts at publicising his antenna as a commercial
venture, one of the English terms for "punt" seems wholly appropriate.
Punt: Verb (Chiefly Brit)
1 To gamble or bet, lay a stake or wager.
(intransitive - a verb which doesn't require a direct object)
Noun:
2 A gamble, bet stake or wager, especially against the bank,
as in roulette, or on horses.
3 Also - Punter; a person who bets
4 "Take a punt at" (Chiefly Austral. and N.Z.)
To have an attempt or try at (something)
The word derives from C18 French - ponter to punt, from ponte bet laid
against the banker, from Spanish punto point, [from Latin punctum]
So, I guess Felix is inviting punters to "take a punt" on his antenna.
I've no idea whether it's an S1 gamble, or Q5xS9. His ON chum seems
happy enough with it, but to anyone else not happy to part with the
money, the rest can only wonder.
I'm sure Felix is a very nice chap and he's clearly very proud of his
antennas, of which the Roomcap is but one.
However, although the terms and provisions of the existing UK amateur
radio licence are a heap of alphabet spaghetti which even Ofcom aren't
really clear about, one thing's very clear:
Quote:
"The licensee shall have no pecuniary interest direct or indirect in any
operations conducted under the licence".
True, "pecuniary" is an archaic "Sunday word" typical of officialdom and
it's being dumped by Ofcom, but most people know it's related to money.
(Less may know that it's also related to law - an offence involving a
monetary penalty, from Latin, pecuniaris, from pecunia).
To make it clear, the existing UK regs, (soon to be replaced with a new
simplified set), state:
Quote:
"Shall not use the station for business, advertisement, or the sending of
news or messages for the benefit or information of any social political,
religious or commercial organisation".
End quote.
True, that term has befuddled the "hard of thinking" to believe that you
can't talk about religion or politics, which is just silly and the wording
is soon to be dropped, but notwithstanding that it's very clear from the
above that you most certainly cannot promote a commercial venture through
amateur radio.
The new wording soon to be introduced makes it clear that amateur radio is
a leisure activity - a hobby, a pastime, nothing more. Certainly not a
platform for promoting one's commercial interests for gain.
1. Purpose:
"1(1) The Licensee shall use the Station for the purpose of self-training
in radio communications, including technical investigations, as a leisure
activity, save as provided for by sub-clauses 1(2) and (3), and not for
commercial purposes of any kind".
Simple innit? "Not for commercial purpose of any kind".
(It does however allow sale or wanted adverts for your own amateur radio
realted stuff on packet, albeit you must conclude any deals off packet by
direct contact with the buyer or seller. Not that anyone bothers nowadays
when they've got e-bay).
Maybe the rules in HB9-Land differ, and advertising your commercial
venture is fine, but I thought that most CEPT Countries use the Harmonised
Amateur Radio Licence as a starting point.
Yes, I know there are other English meanings for "punt", and to save the
trolls and lurkers the trouble of pointing them out, here they are:
1)
a) noun: An open flat-bottomed boat with square ends, propelled by a pole
b) verb: To propel (a boat, esp. a punt) by pushing with a pole on the
bottom of a river, etc.
[From Old English punt - shallow boat, from Latin ponto, punt, see
pontoon]
2
a) noun - A kick in certain sports, such as rugby, in which the ball is
released and kicked before it hits the ground, or any long high kick
b) verb - To kick (a ball, etc.) using a punt
3 noun - The Irish pound [Irish Gaelic: pound]
(Yes, I know, Ireland (Eire) don't use the punt any more -
they use the Euro)
I think that's everything.
Right, it's stopped raining again, so I must get back up on the
scaffolding and get on with painting the outside of my house instead of
writing this drivel. The devil finds work for idle hands:-)
(I'm not scared of falling - I know the ground will break my fall).
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
British Vintage Wireless Society Member
G-QRP Club Member, No: 1339
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 14:42 on 2006-Aug-07
Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.70
(Registered).
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
