A rare operating event FYI:
Portishead Radio/GKA and all remaining VHF stations will close at
1200z on Sunday 30 April. Portishead Radio first came on air 80
years ago in 1920 and was to become the largest communications center
in the world. It employed over 340 people and was the CW and RT
center for the British Commonwealth. The history of the MF service
traces right back to Marconi himself.
73,
Don Milbury, W6YN
-------------------------------------------------
PORTISHEAD RADIO/GKA, the United Kingdom's long range radio station and
one of the world's most famous names in the maritime communications
field, is scheduled to close at 1200z on Sunday 30th April 2000.
Radio Amateurs should now get their antennas and rigs tuned up for a
once-only CW event. With the station using it's multi-kilowatt
transmitters at Rugby and it's remote receiving array at Somerton, the
station's Radio Officers at Burnham hope to bring you, from the comfort
of your own radio shack, the chance to communicate directly with them
before the station's transmitters fall silent for the final time.
This cw-only event is scheduled for Saturday 29th April 2000 from 0700z
to 1900z.
Callsign Frequency Amateur Frequency
+or- 5kHz
GKB2 4274 3525
GKB4 8559.5 7025
GKB5 12835.4 14050
GKB6 17113 18075
GKB7 22448.7 21050
There will be three stations operating at any one time - subject to the
commercial requirements of the station.
BT has appointed the Radio Officers Association to handle the amateur
side of this operation and the liaison officer is David Barlow G3PLE.
ALL QSOs WILL RECEIVE A QSL VIA THE RSGB BUREAU.
Amateurs are asked to note that there will be NO access to BT sites and
following closure and there will be no surplus equipment for sale. Any
enquiries from radio amateurs should be routed through G3PLE.
Contact details: -
David Barlow G3PLE PO Box 50, Helston, TR12 7YQ
e-mail (for this event) dbarlow(a)u.genie.co.uk
Event Website: http://you.genie.co.uk/dbarlow
Special efforts will be made to beam towards Commonwealth countries at
appropriate times. Please e-mail details of which frequency band and
time suits your part of the world.
