If you bombard many types of electronic devices with Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) - radio waves - there will be weird stuff that happens. This has been made into a military weapon to take out the enemies systems. It may have emanated from the "Star Wars" programme in the Ronald Raygun years. Computers are particularly susceptible because even just one bit flipped can have disastrous results.
Whenever I key up a transmitter near to a device, I always cringe a bit.
Years ago I started a project to put a spectrum inside a solid metal box and on top of the box I was going to put a proper keyboard. I bought an Einstein keyboard for a decent price from Scarborough radio rally and had worked out how the spectrum's keyboard worked - it was a matrix. I was going to wire the Einstein keyboard switches to map to the spectrum matrix. The spectrum was a great computer, at the time for radio, as it could easily take audio and get audio out. There was also quite a few programs written for data modes (RTTY, SSTV, AMTOR, PSK, Morse and others). The main reason I wanted to put the spectrum in a metal box is because, and this was very common and an absolute PITA, of the interference it made across the radio spectrum. The crap it radiated would be everywhere and really strong in places.
Good on the foundation exam. From what I know of you here, I think you will really enjoy the hobby. There's all sorts of types of hams. Some into cutting edge stuff, some who just make stuff out of whatever they can get their hands on, some into competitions and DX, some into digital modes, some who just do morse, some who just buy big expensive rigs, some into satellites and all sorts of other flavours and mixes. If you go to a biggish radio rally, you'll see this better. With clubs you may have similar types of hams there. One of my local clubs has many hams that are really getting on. Some hams I've talked to locally commented that if your under 70 in this club then it is unusual... Those guys will really know about morse and I really want to improve my morse. I feel I cheated a bit, because when I look my licence, in order to use HF it was necessary to pass a morse exam. Well a few years ago this was removed and anyone with a full licence had access to all the bands.
I'm no longer that near to you in Northumberland. But if I do head north, maybe we could work something out.
Had a look for upcoming radio rallies near you :
15 SEPTEMBER (new date)
FOG ON THE TYNE RALLY
Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall, Bensham, Gateshead NE8 4LH.
Car park entrance on Whitehall Road. Nearest metro station is Gateshead, or use Go-Ahead routes 53 or 54. Doors open at 10.30am, admission £2, including a raffle ticket. There will be traders, an RSGB bookstand and a junk stall. You can also enrol for Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced training. Catering is on site, £2.50 for a bacon butty plus a cup of tea or coffee. Nancy Bone, G7UUR, 0799 076 0920,
nancybone2001@yahoo.co.uk.
https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/