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Clubs, Groups and Societies For discussions about various clubs, groups and societies relating to our hobbies, such as the BVWS (incl RetroTechUK), BATC, RSGB, APTS, CLPGS, THG, TCC, BECG, MCR21 etc. This is NOT an official forum for any of these organisations.

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Old 30th Jan 2021, 6:17 pm   #1
FStephenMasek
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Default 2021 Events?

Have any of the radio clubs scheduled events later in 2021?

My wife and me have a wedding in Lithuania to attend in late May. Another possibility is July, when the Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held.
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Old 30th Jan 2021, 7:36 pm   #2
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

I think everything is still very much 'on hold' - though we're rolling-out the vaccines and things may change in the latter part of the year.

Global recreational-travel is still very much a no-no and I don't honestly see the UK's "Must quarantine for 10 days on entering the UK" requirement being lifted in the near future.
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Old 30th Jan 2021, 8:05 pm   #3
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

Not exactly a radio club, but RetroTechUK is currently scheduled for 26th September. Let's hope that a sufficient degree of normality has been restored in the UK for it to avoid being postponed for a fourth time. I would be suprised if anything is likely to be possible by May. July is anyone's guess. I've no idea what possibilities there are outside the UK.
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Old 30th Jan 2021, 10:07 pm   #4
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

The BVWS committee are monitoring the situation but don’t expect to be able to run anything until the summer. Possibly the Royal Wootton Bassett event in July could be the first, but could be different to normal to manage safe distancing. Many BVWS members are older and thus in higher risk groups so we need to be careful to keep everyone safe (vaccinated or not).

We have all seen over the last year how quickly things change. Very difficult to plan anything at the moment. Hopefully things will become clearer in the next few months and events can resume in some form.

Regarding Radiophile, as I understand it from the website both magazine production and events have ceased completely, following the death of Chas in late 2019. However I’m happy to be corrected.
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Old 31st Jan 2021, 12:42 pm   #5
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

I attended the last Radiophile auction at Gnosall , in March 2020. I think Jo Millers intention had been to keep them going to clear a large number of lots from the estate of one particular vendor; I have not heard anything further regarding any further dates since the event was bought to a halt due to the pandemic. That may be the last of them due to the current situation, shame if it is.


regards


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Old 31st Jan 2021, 1:04 pm   #6
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

I think that the majority of radio rallies held on school playing fields and halls will not get the go ahead until late spring/early summer at the earliest. Many such as The Luton radio rally in May are yet to confirm that the event will take place.

This link shows the main body of radio rallies and events due to take place over the coming year and seems to be updated fairly regularly.

http://www.g4rga.org.uk/All.html

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Old 31st Jan 2021, 1:35 pm   #7
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

It may be that the BVWS need to consider outdoor events in the summer if the rules at the time make those easier than indoor events. However they would be weather dependent which makes planning by the committee, stallholders and members difficult as we are unlikely to know the likely forecast until a few days before.

It would be a shame if Radiophile auctions do not resume, but it would be understandable if Jo decides to call it a day and retire now.
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Old 31st Jan 2021, 5:13 pm   #8
FStephenMasek
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

Quote:
Originally Posted by high_vacuum_house View Post
I think that the majority of radio rallies held on school playing fields and halls will not get the go ahead until late spring/early summer at the earliest. Many such as The Luton radio rally in May are yet to confirm that the event will take place.

This link shows the main body of radio rallies and events due to take place over the coming year and seems to be updated fairly regularly.

http://www.g4rga.org.uk/All.html

Christopher Capener
Thank you, that is a helpful site.
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Old 1st Feb 2021, 4:04 pm   #9
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Post Re: 2021 Events?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FStephenMasek View Post
Have any of the radio clubs scheduled events later in 2021?

My wife and me have a wedding in Lithuania to attend in late May. Another possibility is July, when the Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held.
Hello

The "Ham Radio" held in Friedrichshafen, Southern Germany is advertised for the last weekend in June, Fri/Sat/Sun

https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/

As well as Ham radio the flea market has a lot of "wireless" equipment on sale

It was cancelled last year and may be again this year which is a pity on many levels as it is the best radio show in Europe, and held in a decent professional venue.

By public transport (plane, rail then boat and bus) it is most easily accessbile via Zurich airport, or a Lufthansa connection to Friedrichshafen itself

Fred

Last edited by Paul Stenning; 2nd Feb 2021 at 2:49 pm. Reason: Political comment removed
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Old 5th Feb 2021, 5:49 am   #10
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

Thank you Fred, it sounds like a excellent event, and the location looks excellent, with that large lake.
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Old 5th Feb 2021, 9:11 am   #11
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

The exhibition messe is a bit inland from the lake, it's right next to Friedrichshaven airport, and adjacent to the hangar of the aircraft museum. (The Zeppelin museum is also in Friedrichshaven.)

When big events are on, it can get a bit too busy in the immediate area. I've usually stayed at a hotel in Weingarten which isn't too far away.

David
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Old 6th Feb 2021, 3:15 pm   #12
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

Hope the mods will allow this event but the Beaulieu international Autojumble is now scheduled for 4th/5th Sept 2021.
Whilst it is predominatly car orientated there are large amounts of old Car Radio equipment, test equipment, 8 track stuff , household radios, CB stuff etc .
Ive seen professional radio restorers most years peddling their wares there too and i generally come back laden with various electronic equipment.
Even came back with a CED Laserdisc player and about 100 discs once!
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Old 6th Feb 2021, 5:49 pm   #13
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

We're all keen to see venues re-open and life to get back to something like normal, but I think it's some way off.

Some observations if I may - for information rather than debate, if the Mods feel it appropriate:

Newspaper headlines are upbeat, and talk of pubs, restaurants, all shops, sports and other venues opening by Easter and international travel returning. However, the government have rightly stated that a return to normality will be phased and cautious. The biggest impediment for events such as radio rallies, hobby clubs and exhibitions is that of social distancing. Any retention - even if reduced to 1 Metre - and the need to monitor and control that, will make it impracticable and uneconomical to mount such events.

Most small events are held in premises used for other purposes such as schools, village halls and church halls. However keen the management of venues are to re-establish events, they will be limited by compliance with government policies, insurance requirements, and legislation such as health and safety. Organisations that mount such events - radio clubs and societies, will have their own policies to comply with too, which are demanding enough as it is. The pandemic adds another layer of compliance.

I'm not involved with amateur radio, but for 15 years have been secretary of a local thriving woodturning society, the membership of which had grown from 42 in 2014 to 65 in 2019, with a regular attendance of 50 plus. The last meeting was February 2020. Had it not been for the pandemic, membership would have been capped and a waiting list created. Cottingham is reputedly the largest village in the UK with a population of 20,000 or so, and more than 50 societies catering for every interest, meeting in various village venues, all presently on hold.

In some respects, there are parallels between our club, radio clubs, 'Men in Sheds' and so on.

We hire a village hall once a month in a nearby village, also in regular use for Zumba sessions, art, embroidery and photography groups.

Our Club-nights consist of demonstrations by professional demonstrators using equipment stored at the hall, and equipment which that demonstrators bring with them, such as hand tools and timber. Items stored at the hall are a large woodturning lathe, two digital projectors, projector screens and stands, two video cameras, a PA system, associated cables and control equipment, a dust extractor and a polycarbonate safety screen attached to the lathe. In all, there are close on 80 items ranging from the lathe, to hand-held remote controls and a radio mike headset.

We set up a cash desk at the entrance, set out eight rows of seven seats, side by side - 56 in all. We set out tables for the sale of items, display of projects, and for a library of books and DVDs for members to browse and borrow. Meetings start 7PM, and end at 9.30pm. We have a refreshment break half-way though the evening for members to mingle and socialise.

Not too dissimilar in some respects from amateur radio clubs of which I was a member for fifty years.

For the club to cover its operating costs, (room hire fees, demonstrator fees, public liability/all risks insurance), and to break even, we would need 45 members to re-join and an average attendance of at least 35 people. Even if social distancing were to be reduced to 1 Metre between rows and seats, that would limit seating to 24 and result in an unsustainable loss of around £1,000 a year. Any limitations on social distancing or onerous conditions on sanitation, monitoring and controlling access would mean that our club, and similar ones, won't be able to reopen.

To put this into perspective, as it now stands, the Village Hall Pandemic Protocol for when the hall can re-open calls for:

Compliance with the Hall's 12-page Covid Risk Assessment.
Drawing up and submitting our own Covid-compliant Risk Assessment.
Access to be marshalled to ensure attendees are limited to 24 maximum and masks worn.
Sanitise all door handles, light switches, window catches, toilet handles and seats, during the event and at the end of the evening.
No use of the kitchen.
No cash or ticket handling.
All windows and doors to be open.
Social distancing of 2 Metres to be enforced at all times.
All attendees must use the track and trace system by either scanning the QR Code, or by manually recording their details, to be retained for 21 days then destroyed.

It would be completely impossible to comply with these onerous conditions, in addition to:

Policies we must have in place to comply with the insurer's public liability and all risks insurance requirements, as well as statutory legislation, such as:

A written Constitution.
Health & Safety policy.
Policy on safeguarding children, young persons and vulnerable adults.
Risk assessments including PAT testing.
Data protection (GDPR).

There are parallels with radio club meetings and rallies - people shuffling around, mixing and mingling, having refreshment breaks, browsing, picking up and putting down items of equipment, handling money, using toilets. Far from wishing to limit attendance at radio rallies, the hope is to maximise the numbers to generate income to support the Club's activities. Should any mandatory social distancing, sanitising and mask wearing protocols remain in place it would set the bar too high. (Imaging having to 'police' a socially distanced queue of visitors at a radio rally and to have to turn some away who may have travelled long distances).

I'm not whinging about this - the Hall Management are only doing what they feel they need to do to exercise caution and stay on the right side of the law. I'm just highlighting the hurdles which need to be overcome for events to once more take place, and I doubt that the requirements imposed by other venues will be any less onerous. For example, children are not all back in school or students in Universities. As and when they are, Education Authorities, school governors, principals and the like are unlikely to take a relaxed view of other users hiring their premises for events such as radio rallies or regular meetings.

Much hope is placed on the vaccine rollout, but despite the impressive progress in the UK, there's still a way to go before it will become apparent that the threat of Covid-19 in all it's variants has subsided to acceptable levels and all of the foregoing limitations are lifted. As to events such as Friedrichshafen, I'd have thought that was in doubt this year unless the progress on vaccination is rapidly stepped up.

Progress on vaccination to date with the percentage of population vaccinated in brackets:

Total: (%age of pop'n)

UK 11.4 mill (16.9%)
Germany 3.12 mill (3.7%)
Italy 2.44 mill (4.0%)
Spain 1.99 mill (4.3%)
France 1.96 mill (2.9%).

Source: https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

Not meant as a 'league table' or 'flag waving' - just an indication of the ground that needs to be covered before small, let alone large international events, can get back into full swing. It can't come soon enough, and when the brakes do come off, life will spring back with a vengeance I've no doubt.

I'll pin my hopes on Hornsea Amateur Radio Rally on 17 October this year where I've had two tables each year to declutter since 2012. Anything that hasn't sold by 3pm is offered free, and it not taken, goes in the skip. Not much left to go, but there's always the temptation with sleight on hand, to spirit something into my car boot!
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Old 7th Feb 2021, 5:08 pm   #14
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Default Re: 2021 Events?

As David has I think so eloquently covered the whole situation in his usual carefully though out style, its time to close this thread, as until the situation changes there is little else to be said.

Cheers

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