Will Leitch GI6HKE
@willleitch.bsky.social
Northern Irish amateur radio operator. Also, journalist, broadcaster, podcast host and producer.
I have only just managed to crack this in the last couple of years by going self-employed. My new boss never enjoyed a Christmas do so there isn’t one. To be honest, I don’t always enjoy his company that much anyway and the cheap so-and-so doesn’t pay bonuses.
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I have only just managed to crack this in the last couple of years by going self-employed. My new boss never enjoyed a Christmas do so there isn’t one. To be honest, I don’t always enjoy his company that much anyway and the cheap so-and-so doesn’t pay bonuses.
Well you have done a lot more since 2015 then I have managed since 1982!
It didn’t help, me taking 25 years off, and then returning to wonder what on earth ft8 was and why everyone suddenly told you your signal was 59, when you knew it couldn’t be…
It didn’t help, me taking 25 years off, and then returning to wonder what on earth ft8 was and why everyone suddenly told you your signal was 59, when you knew it couldn’t be…
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Well you have done a lot more since 2015 then I have managed since 1982!
It didn’t help, me taking 25 years off, and then returning to wonder what on earth ft8 was and why everyone suddenly told you your signal was 59, when you knew it couldn’t be…
It didn’t help, me taking 25 years off, and then returning to wonder what on earth ft8 was and why everyone suddenly told you your signal was 59, when you knew it couldn’t be…
How could you possibly know that?
November 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How could you possibly know that?
I couldn’t possibly say.
But consider this.
If all that were true, he’d have a plausible cover story, wouldn’t he?
He was a lovely guy, was Mr Philby.
But consider this.
If all that were true, he’d have a plausible cover story, wouldn’t he?
He was a lovely guy, was Mr Philby.
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I couldn’t possibly say.
But consider this.
If all that were true, he’d have a plausible cover story, wouldn’t he?
He was a lovely guy, was Mr Philby.
But consider this.
If all that were true, he’d have a plausible cover story, wouldn’t he?
He was a lovely guy, was Mr Philby.
Radio Studio! DJ and former Radio Station manager-turned consultant. Also a knowledgable engineer, Top type to have a a neighbour. That time he was recording a show - so I shut down and let him get on with it.
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Radio Studio! DJ and former Radio Station manager-turned consultant. Also a knowledgable engineer, Top type to have a a neighbour. That time he was recording a show - so I shut down and let him get on with it.
Ages ago my neighbour in the other half of our semi asked if I was on SSB - he was catching “CQ” very faintly on the speakers in his secret attic radio studio. He was lovely about it and I discovered he is a lapsed GI8! Bit of shielding sorted all that out. But my tx power stays modest…
November 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Ages ago my neighbour in the other half of our semi asked if I was on SSB - he was catching “CQ” very faintly on the speakers in his secret attic radio studio. He was lovely about it and I discovered he is a lapsed GI8! Bit of shielding sorted all that out. But my tx power stays modest…
If I transmit ft8 on 30m, even at 1w, the fan on our induction hob comes on. The dipole is at least 15m away…
November 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
If I transmit ft8 on 30m, even at 1w, the fan on our induction hob comes on. The dipole is at least 15m away…
Hi Patrick - I’m an entirely different Will - and not the excellent author you meant!
November 5, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Hi Patrick - I’m an entirely different Will - and not the excellent author you meant!
Last 2 who came round refused to go on the roof at all. I’m not sure what they thought they were coming round to do…
November 1, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Last 2 who came round refused to go on the roof at all. I’m not sure what they thought they were coming round to do…
Best wishes with it!
October 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Best wishes with it!
The lad across the road was a massive Radio Moscow listener, and he turned out to be…
A really successful surgeon and semi-professional bass player.
Just goes to show, eh?
A really successful surgeon and semi-professional bass player.
Just goes to show, eh?
October 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The lad across the road was a massive Radio Moscow listener, and he turned out to be…
A really successful surgeon and semi-professional bass player.
Just goes to show, eh?
A really successful surgeon and semi-professional bass player.
Just goes to show, eh?
Yes but if the civil servant who assigned an arbitrary 3 letters to you in April 1982 and posted it out…picked one you’re not that keen on? (Not in my case) During the NI Troubles in an era of illegal and/or deadly organisations made of three letters - there were some very regrettable mistakes.
October 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Yes but if the civil servant who assigned an arbitrary 3 letters to you in April 1982 and posted it out…picked one you’re not that keen on? (Not in my case) During the NI Troubles in an era of illegal and/or deadly organisations made of three letters - there were some very regrettable mistakes.
Yes understood that. I would have to let my current one go if I did it. They simply said the old one is “not available” - which is odd..because it is…. Unused for 18 years… Hopefully I’ll get an answer - although they often don’t read your email properly and answer a question you haven’t asked…
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Yes understood that. I would have to let my current one go if I did it. They simply said the old one is “not available” - which is odd..because it is…. Unused for 18 years… Hopefully I’ll get an answer - although they often don’t read your email properly and answer a question you haven’t asked…
I wondered if I might re-activate a long-disused one. Website is unclear. Owner - a close friend - sk 18 years ago. Family loves the thought of it being used again. Ofcom said no but didn’t explain their reasons - so I’ve asked them for clarification.
October 17, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I wondered if I might re-activate a long-disused one. Website is unclear. Owner - a close friend - sk 18 years ago. Family loves the thought of it being used again. Ofcom said no but didn’t explain their reasons - so I’ve asked them for clarification.
Same here. There’s the slight issue of the Irish Sea between me and the showrooms. I drop in when I’m in GB on business sometimes.
October 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Same here. There’s the slight issue of the Irish Sea between me and the showrooms. I drop in when I’m in GB on business sometimes.
Interesting responses. I did start POTA actuations this year and had fun - didn’t do many. Had always done 145 Alive but didn’t get near it last 2 times. Worked obsessively on learning cw Jan-Jun and totally overdid it. Beat myself up for lack of progress. So took the break and feel better for it.
October 16, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Interesting responses. I did start POTA actuations this year and had fun - didn’t do many. Had always done 145 Alive but didn’t get near it last 2 times. Worked obsessively on learning cw Jan-Jun and totally overdid it. Beat myself up for lack of progress. So took the break and feel better for it.