Category Archives: General Discussion

Apologies for absebce this year / due to Various Commitments unable to attend.

We have been contacted by Dr. Jo Stanley requesting information from our members about female Radio Officers. Jo asks “ I’m writing an educational book about women’s history at sea, which includes a chapter on R/Os. Already I’ve put together something … Continue reading →

Does anyone know the call sign of the LOF ship MV London Statesman circa 1970? I need it for a bit of research that I am doing. Thanks Jeremy GW3VOL   /   SV0XBJ

Greetings from an old Lady in deepest West Cork. [the vessel I mean|],   MV Coos Bay /EINX, sends a hello. Got my copy of ‘THE SILENCE’ and am savouring it.   Fantastic job done and they can’t totally forget … Continue reading →

Full page advert for the book on page 7 and a very nice book review on page 41 of March’s Radcom. Well done chaps. Robin Powell

Am trying to locate the Chief RO, John or was it Val [?] Gannon from Ballinrobe Co Mayo who ”educated” a rather callow trainee fresh out of Tivoli REI, Cork, back in 1965 onboard ore carrier MV PENNYWORTH . Anyone … Continue reading →

Tony Sedman pointed out that there’s some doubt as to whether MRD lasts 35 or 36 hours.  I’m not sure myself!  I’ve seen both times from different members of the organising team.  I would think if you’re still on the … Continue reading →

Was reading the info on this event which is to take place from 1200Z April 14th to 2300Z April 15th and notice that you have quoted the elapsed time to be 36 hours. For the times given 1200Z from one … Continue reading →

Ex-R/Os organise a Marine Radio Day on the air each year.  During this time, those with a radio amateur license go on air and exchange callsigns and names of their last or favourite ship.  QRK and QSA is given and … Continue reading →

My copy of “The Long Silence Falls” has arrived.  A very professional production indeed!  I had a quick glance at the content and have already begun browsing.  It’s going to be good reading for some time to come. So congratulations … Continue reading →

On December 12 – 13 the Amateur Radio Cubesatwill be using its optical LED beacon to flash a message in Morse Code over the USA and the British Isles/Europe which may be visible to the unaided eye althogh binoculars are … Continue reading →

Hi Kris.     QSL on that info OM, many thanks esp ”SS Horsted GJQD” an elderly Stevie Clark collier  they put me on.   The ”Moorpark” connection explains a mystery as I didn’t in fact serve on a ghost ship … Continue reading →

In the QRZ column of the December 2012 QSO, I am attributed with the idea of the ROARS banners. I think it was actually Geoff Valentine-Love’s idea. Dave Ellis.

Marine Radio Museum Society (Wirral) looking for either an ALERT or MONITOR  stand alone 24v emergency rxer – does anyone know if they are still around?

A week ago last Thursday evening from 1900 to 1925 I was listening on 7.025 MHz and heard an ROA member working several stations.  I subsequently learned he was unaware that he only had to nudge his dial down to … Continue reading →

Most of you have probably heard this before, but just in case you haven’t… Mike Batt was head Womble of Wimbledon…

CIrca 7017 kc/s is the prime frequency at present.  Charles G0GJS

I have recently become friendly with Joe Clark who is a former Orient Line Purser.  Joe left the sea and went into banking but retained his love of the sea and once he retired he turned his hand to producing … Continue reading →

Hi Tony.   Many thanks for trying.   Bit odd no record of those 2 Home trade vessels I served on not being listed whilst sailing under the British flag,  [ss Horsted – of Stephenson Clarke and mv Free Enterprise … Continue reading →

I noted the discussions in the latest issue of QSO. How about a “broadcast” of Radio Officers?

Many years ago while being part of the VHF squad at Marconi Depot in Liverpool I had the task of investigating the strange happenings concerning the Master on the Irish Ferry “Munster”. The Master reported that every time he used … Continue reading →

The Marconi New Street works are being commemorated as a  centenary of operations on Saturday 23 rd. June.  Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) are supporting the Day’s events at the Chelmsford Science and Industry Museum, which of course  houses the … Continue reading →

To those of us of a more ‘laid-back’ inclination, the sight today on TV of the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot – ‘Prince of Johanne’ ridden by John Fahy – with “ROA” emblazoned across his Jockey’s colours, … Continue reading →

Error in published link address.  Apologies.  Should read www.ycoyacht.com   then go to ALL NEW  then go to LONE RANGER

Hi Clive.  Will QSX for QRP at end of net 3538/7017 circa.  Probably condx will dictate 7017.  QRA? 73 de Charles G0GJS

For Gordon Shelton G0MMD. You never told me deep sea rescue was like this.  Please see link www.ycoyacht.com/loneranger.  Why did you swallow the anchor? Lone Ranger is up for sale at a mere$20m.  Might make a small dent in your … Continue reading →

I am seeking to buy a radio room clock and a registry of  ship call signs from the period 1955 – 1965…….Any help would be appreciated……..Dave Clemson

On the good ship Lloydcrest when we docked in Rotterdam after a fairly rough passage across the Atylantic, I was visited by the Radio Surveyor. I had been reported  by the American’s for being  off frequency during my Short Wave … Continue reading →

CQ,CQ,CQ.    Can anyone help me?.    I have this now defunct ex Marconi ships radio station/EINX and I’m trying to restore it for er, Posterity and the PO hand book for Radio Officers and List of Ship Stations [1980's] … Continue reading →

The ROARS group has recently updated their pages on this site.  A lot of dated material has been archived and their mission is now displayed prominently.  New information has been posted showing clearly how RO’s can contribute to and help … Continue reading →

Hi, This is Stan McNally Just like to say I mangaed to get into the group, web Site after a few attempts. Hello All I really enjoyed the AGM and the meal and conversation at the end was really great … Continue reading →

Hi all Any former Shell people might be interested in Kees van Helder’s excellent web site that you can find here.  It lists just about every Shell tanker that ever existed, with pictures and lots of other details.  It even … Continue reading →

Those of you that attended the AGM last year know that the Committee agreed to undertake the task of seeing if a book that was generically titled “The Best of QSO” could realistically be created.  There have been many excellent … Continue reading →

my vote goes to the newer version of the braid. also interested to find out what the briaid is for passenger ship comanies as I suspect there is now no common braid.if we could settle this then I would try … Continue reading →

greetings gents there was an article in the latest qso about satellite coverage in the arctic regions. at the end was a suggestion of using irridium in the gmdss system. would the author please contact me as would like to … Continue reading →

Gentlemen – congratulations brilliant web site .  

Before the website went live there was a spirited debate between, shall we say, the older members of the ROA and the young upstarts as to what was the correct braid that a smart R/O should be seen in.  Your … Continue reading →

There was talk earlier (I think from Tony) of posting photographs in the gallery of those who can still get into their uniforms.  This should be fun!  Whereabouts in the gallery should they be inserted? Dave Ellis.

Quote from Daily Telegraph 7th January in obituary about actor Frederick Treves:- “After the Nautical College, Pangbourne, Freddie joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 17. While serving in a convoy seeking to relieve Malta, he was one of … Continue reading →

The new website is a great improvement over the old one – well done Tony and the team. Dave Ellis.

Very impressed  Good luck with the Forum

I would like to start a debate on antennas. Did anybody do any serious study for PMG on antennas, or was it just, connect it and off you go