Just a little interlude away from the African Safaris.
The Silent Key is someone who is no longer around.
Tuning, or surfing the short-wave radio, I chanced to hear the W.A.C.R.L 2 network, operated by and for Christian Radio Amateurs Worldwide.
A leading U.K. member had just died.
A wartime RADAR operator, he had taken up amateur radio, joined the Christian Network and from there became a minister at his local chapel (great oak from little acorn!)
Within the amateur fraternity, he is now a ‘silent key’.
In a touching ceremony, a final tribute to him was keyed in Morse, then repeated in voice.
Did you hear it?
Well, I did, like hundreds of others who were ‘tuned in’.
I once found a group of 10-year-olds at an exhibition of WW2 equipment, puzzled by a Morse key and buzzer; all computer experts probably (unlike me).
But I had to ‘show them how’ and rattled out a quick ‘CQ’ _._. … (General call).
Rapid footsteps across the hall, a tap on my shoulder and – “I heard your General call. When were you at BLETCHLEY?” (PARK)
“Never” I answered.
But then followed a long discussion of our travels and experience in radio communication; ‘gossip’ to ordinary folk, ‘eyeball’ to the C.B’rs but ‘Ragchew’ to the amateur radio enthusiasts! – another friendship was made!
Are you ‘tuned in – keeping a listening watch?’ as in the parable of the 10 virgins, Jesus finished the story with:
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25: 1-13 NIV
Do communicate – “Let your light shine forth”
Do listen out:
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.
Revelation 3:3, 3:6 and 3:20 NIV
But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
You could give or receive help or advice.
Don’t need it? Yet?
Ever? I wonder!
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Matthew 6:32-34 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Joe Lucas signing off, September 2005
See Joe’s African Safari articles: [1] A bad shortcut down the Muse Escarpment!
[19] A sting in the tail – deadly scorpion
[20] Sundowners on African safaris
[21] A Dog’s Life in a hotel bar on an African safari
[22] Processionary caterpillars on African Safari
References – open in new tabs:
Wikipedia Deutsch: Morsetaste. Sie wurde für die Telegrafen der Gotthardbahn um 1900 eingesetzt. English: Morse Key (from 1900)
Date 16 August 2017 Author Hp.Baumeler. licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International ↩World Association Of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners, Sundays and Wednesdays at 0800, Lower Sideband 80 Metre Band. ↩
