Some longtime subscribers to this site may already be aware that Part15.org contributor, Engineer, Inventor and Amateur Radio Operator Ermi Roos has passed away. I know he suddenly disappeared from this and other Part 15 related sites a couple of years ago.
Ermi was a consummate gentleman who offered useful counsel to any who desired it.
I missed him then, I miss him now.
Don't think I knew him by name as most don't go by their real names, but sad news anyway.
The longer we live the more people that will pass before us.
Though maybe odd, Ermi Roos was his actual name and he often posted here as such.
His Ham Radio call was also that that of a current member.
The Missing Person's List
About 1-month ago we posted a "missing person's list" here on the part 15 site, Ermi's name should have been on it.
Back when a number of members consulted together to design, build and succeed with a shortwave part 15 transmitter (The Big Talker), Ermi pitched in with tips that helped move the project along.
This great hobby usually prolongs life expectancy because it increases "the will to live", so maybe Ermi was with us longer than he would have been without the hobby.
I did a bit of a Eulogy for Ermi on a recent Blare OnAir program, and if I figure out which show it's on I'll link it later.
I posted a long post about Jim and a brief mention about Ermi on my blog a couple days ago. I mentioned this on the ALPB.
Both these sites are about as dead as a doorknob lately. I assumed it was maybe because everyone was involved with their families for the holidays or something..
It's quiet. Not a creature is stirring.. except maybe some mice, and they ain't saying squat.
https://part15lab.blogspot.com/2018/12/15-months-of-part-15.html
There's a few paragraphs about Ermi at the end of it
You Are To Be Commended
Good writing, Rich Powers, setting in detail your sensitive portrayals of significant part 15 personalities, Jim Henry and Ermi Roos.
I have often stated disappointment that so much of the history of what happens both inside this hobby and across the internet in general goes undocumented with seemingly no one journalizing the passing scene.
We can all take a lesson from the story-tellers approach exhibited here by Rich Powers. Each part 15 station is part of small moments in radio history.
Thanks Carl, but I don't know about good writing, I think I suck at writing which is why I insert so many pictures and quoted text in my blog! But I do believe I provide good information.
Things do get lost, which was my original reason for starting the blog.. just to compile things .. now it's kind of changed to something else I guess.
But speaking of things disappearing, I disappeared for a few months from the internet - I broke the only computer I had on hand.. I have some but they are still sitting in the storage garage where they've been a few years.. Funny thing about internet, there's a bit of addiction involved with it, and when you suddenly lose it, it can drive you nuts for about a week or so of not even being able to check email, but after getting over the immediate void I found that after about two weeks I didn't even miss it!
But anyway, about things disappearing.. I've noticed that the structure of this site seems to have changed drastically at some point.. I used to be able to easily find old post and discussions with some simple searches.. or sometimes when I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for but vaguely remember who had been involved in the particular discussions and could just click their name and browse back through their old post to find it.. it was quite useful, but I notice you can't do that anymore.
I'm not sure which bothers me more, the loss of functionality or the advertisements poking on right through the middle of a post -- My god! What the hell?
Also the post count on avatars.. It makes a difference. Now you can't tell if your talking to a newbie with 20 post or someone that's been around with a thousand post or so.
I know you've been around here forever, if not longer.
Sigh... sorry, I really didn't step in to bitch. It just feels awkward to me now, guess I'm stuck on desire of familiarity.
Apologies for my above post in this thread about Ermi's passing. I just got to running my mouth and forgot what thread I was in. Did not mean to be so inappropriate.
Only Part of the Larger Picture
Talking about the mechanics of how we write about life, including the passing and loss of colleagues, is a fair part of the overall conversation (my opinion).
Mr. End80 said, "I think I suck at writing which is why I insert so many pictures and quoted text in my blog! But I do believe I provide good information."
It is healthy (my opinion) to remain less than confident about one's own writing, because it is difficult to know whether readers are comprehending what we hope to convey.
However, the insertion of pictures and quotations contributes to descriptive writing and counts as a plus.
Be all that as it may, in the wake of two sad departures, it is very human to wonder where they are and where that leaves us in this massive mystery.
That's cool.
By the way, I've been meaning to ask.. I've noticed in the email alerts of new post they say:
Who or what is jpjanze?
Hi Rich,
I am jpjanze 😉 I am the webmaster for part15!
I like the feedback you have in the post above, I can make changes sometimes and this time I was able to add the number of total posts and replies for each user - let me know if this helps (and if you have any other requests)!
Cheers!
Jon Paul
Hi Rich, also, you can still get all the posts and replies for any user if you click on their name, which takes you to their profile page, then click on the 'forums' tab.
That will list all the topics they started, you can also then click on 'Replies' and it will list all the replies they have made.
Hope this helps!
Jon Paul