Winter is coming … and you know what that means. At least up here in the northern hemisphere, plenty of time to sit down while the weather is cold and relax by the radio. If one can call that relaxing … Sadly there are many types of radio operators out there. Some share your interests, some don’t, and some just annoy the hell out of you. I was pondering writing a different article … well more a rant … about some of the types of radio operators out that really annoy me. I still may write that article but it involves a good story. This article is different and frankly just for fun. There are hundreds of other ones just like it all over the internet, but this one is mine. So enjoy!

If Game of Thrones characters were ham radio operators

Ned Stark

Most everyone knows a ned. He’s your friends … you remember … that one. The one that was kinda interested in ham radio after you got interested in it. You’d talk to him and he’d always like to know more. He even took his test and bought a radio or two. He got on the air and started making contacts and really liking it! Now it’s a few years later and that radio is sitting in the corner collecting dust.

We miss you Ned…

Arya Stark

Always trying, always there, always … underestimated. She is the younger operator that has little tolerance for the old farts that may complain about her being “one of dem no-nothing no-code operators”. She doesn’t care, she’s a honey badger. She has her own APRS station, built a receiver from scratch, and re-wired her toaster so it also mows the law.

So while the old-fogeys are complaining about her going from zero to extra … she runs laps around them.

Jon Snow

He has a job and he does it. With his valiant antenna and radio he monitors it day and night waiting just in case. Several times a week he even takes the helm and gallantly leads that sections phone net. Calling role, checking inbound and outbound contacts, and always ready in case anyone has that radiogram to Vernon Q. Elsworth congratulating him on his new grandchild.

It’s a lonely life … but someone has to run the net.

Petyr Baelish

Just check his QRZ page … there isn’t much there. Nor does he care. In fact he doesn’t even turn his radio on a whole lot. He may check pskreporter or dxmaps from time to time to see if propagation is open. If it is, then he jumps on and makes his contacts to places he needs. He only answers your CQ if he needs you. He made WAS with 55 contacts and DXCC with under 200.

LoTW only please.

Daenerys Targaryen

99 countries on LoTW confirmed ….

WHERE IS MY OTHER COUNTRY?!?!

Keeps looking, checking spotting pages, that 100th country is still nowhere to be found.

Jamie Lannister

Ok, yeah, he has his problems. In fact he can be quite a jerk … and well other things. Usually find him hanging around 75m waiting for the liberty net or shooting the shit with other guys down there. Odd thing though, he’s not the craziest, nor is he the most anti-everything. I’m not even sure he likes it there, but it’s where he fits in the best.

Robert Baratheon – SK

You never met him, sadly he passed away a few years ago. But the stories everyone tells of him … Wow! Made his first CW contact using a key he built out of a Mountain Lion he killed with his bare hands. Once worked a pile-up without an antenna. NASA would call him if they had problems making contact with space capsules.

Oddly … you just may believe some of the stories.

Joffrey Baratheon

Not a state he needs? Not a country he needs? Not DX enough? Not 59+++? Not running an amp?

Stop wasting his time, this is his frequency … now GET OUT

Hodor

Hodor Hodor. Has one frequency, one rig (which may or may not include a modified CB amp), and is only ever there for one thing. To make contacts with members of some small society. You aren’t a member of that society? Well why not? It’s so easy to join that group! If you do that then he will talk to you. Hodor.

(Sorry Hodor, you deserved better)

Tywin Lannister

Runs the repeater coordination in your area. That’s right … you have to come groveling to him if you want your repeater up. Oh … and don’t you cross him and he’ll make sure another repeater comes up on your frequency that is coordinated.

Tyrion Lannister

Oh man you want to hate him. With the fire of a thousand suns you want everything he has. He has trouble deciding if he should use the IC-7851, FDTX-5000, TS-990, or just the cheap K3S. Multiple yagi’s litter his land, each driving with auto-tuning amplifiers.

Oh and he invites you over any time you want to use anything you want. Borrow something? Sure! Oh … and he’s a great op.

The bastard.

Samwell Tarly

You … Me … We try at least … Don’t we?