Terry Talks to the World Competition

Terry Robinson, Forth Valley Sensory Centre Trustee, fundraiser, amateur radio enthusiast and all round top bloke, describes his 50+ year interest in amateur radio and how it is a great way to meet people all round the world.

Terry, who happens to be blind, has contacted thousands of people in every corner of the globe over the years. Taking in interest in radio as a teenager, Terry soon realised it was a great way to meet new people and since then has built his own equipment, including masts and antennas, never letting his sight impairment hold him back. You can see a video of Terry presenting a homemade antenna to the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society on YouTube here.

With isolation and loneliness coming to the fore in the last twelve months as the Coronavirus pandemic hit, it is perhaps not surprising that amateur radio has seen an increase in popularity at the same time.

We have been working hard here at the Centre to keep in touch with our Centre Users and provide as many services as possible, even if that has to be done remotely. A big part of that, is fundraising and our Centre User Fundraising Group, which meets on the last Monday of each month is a big part of that. Terry is a member of that group and has already undertaken the Virtual Kiltwalk for us, walking miles around his local park. In the process, Terry raised almost £400 to help deaf and blind people in Forth Valley.

The Competition

For his next challenge, Terry, who uses the called sign gm3wux, is taking part in the Islands On The Air (IOTA) competition. Run annually since 1967 and supported by the Radio Society of Great Britain, the aim is to contact as many people on different islands as possible between 24 and 25 July 2021.

The scoring system can be quite complex so to make it easier, we are simply asking how many different “contacts” (i.e. other amateur radio enthusiasts) will Terry reach over the two days?

As a guide, Terry has included some statistics in this fascinating podcast, where he talks about his hobby, how to get involved with amateur radio and what you can get out of taking part.

To take part, donate £1 via our online platform and leave your comment as to how many contacts Terry will make. You can also have a go in person at the Centre.

First prize, for the nearest guess, is a £20 Etsy voucher . Should two or more people be the same distance away, or make the same guess, then the winning entry will be drawn from a hat.
Good luck everyone!