"The station will have a special call sign, namely GB200A, which has been approved by the Ofcom Licensing Centre (the government's telcoms and media regulator).
The objective of the exercise is to contact other "ham" radio enthusiasts to all corners of the globe and promote Aberaeron, its heritage and the 2007 programme of events.
The station will be located at Lampeter Road, Aberaeron and its major equipment will incorporate two transceivers (one using low power of 5 watts, whilst the other will have an output power of around 80/100 watts); aerial tuning units (necessary to balance between the transmitter and the antenna); and the antennae.
A long wire antenna will be used for the low frequency transmission and a small vertical tubular antenna for use on the higher frequencies. In addition a microphone and an electronic key will be used.
The latter will have a horizontal movement that produces a dah on one side and a di on the other. This type of key is different from the more conventional one that uses an up and down movement.
The transmission is restricted to the use of approved frequencies and this can be affected by many factors, e.g. season, daytime, solar, geomagnetic, climatic interference, etc.. Since the station's operation will largely be used at daylight it is envisaged that most of the transmission will be undertaken on the 7MHz, 14MHz and 21MHz frequencies ( the 40, 20 and 15 corresponding metres wavelengths).
Using the 7MHz frequency contacts should be achieved with other stations in the UK and West Europe whilst contacts with stations in Eastern Europe and the Far East would be made on the 14MHz frequency and hopefully, with good conditions contacts with stations from even further distances could be made using the 21MHz frequency.
Since there is a need to establish many contacts with stations in the UK and from afar, it is proposed that the mode of transmission will be by voice (SSB) and morse (CW).
The use of FM for VHF will not be used since its poor location is surrounded on three sides by steep hills.
For the use of SSB, most contacts will by conducted through the English language, with a few made in Welsh. Probable most of the contacts will be made by morse.
This mode has its benefits; requires little power for use; uses less bandwidth; can penetrate through interference to retain communication and uses an "international language" that allows all to understand each other, whether they be in Japan or Russia. This "language" is a form of a combination between the use of three letter Q Codes and the use of abbreviations. Examples as -
Q Codes Abbreviations.
QRM - I am suffering from interference.
AGN - Again.
QRS - Send slower.
CQ - Calling any stations.
Additionally there are operational procedures that one is expected to follow. To establish a contact with another station there is a need for an initial general call such as -
CQ CQ CQ DE GB200A GB200A GB200A PSE K.
A typical first contact response to a Scottish station might be like thus -
GM3XXX DE GB200A R GM OM TKS FER CALL UR RST 579 OP JOHN QTH ABERAERON OK? GM3XXX DE GB200A
Roughly this message says - " Received your transmission. Good Morning Old Man. Thanks for the call. Your Readability is 5 (5 out of 5), Strength of signal is 7 (7 out of 9) and the CW tone is 9 (9 out of 9). My name is John. The location is Aberaeron. Do you understand my transmission?"
For a special events station it is the normal procedure to send a confirmation card to all the contacted stations. This is done by sending all the filled cards to the national radio society which in turn sends them to the national societies of the other countries.
The same system works for the incoming cards.
Article by Gwynne Griffiths
your comments
K. Carol Merino From Hull
I think this is a great way to get more people enthusiastic about the Amateur Radio. Modern technology is making new ways for Amateur Radio to move forward into the future.
Fri Apr 18 14:51:33 2008
Estelle Read, Aberdeenshire
What a wonderful idea,i hope you had fun, the late Terry Williams would have loved every minute.lovely to read that amateur radio is still alive and kicking in aberaeron.
Mon Mar 3 14:27:45 2008
Martin Anthony ap Davies (mw0cnd)
Hope the day went well and as others have said its good to see that amature radio is getting good press
Sun Mar 2 17:53:09 2008
Giles Read, G1MFG, London
It's nice to see amateur radio getting positive exposure on the BBC web site. Congratulations to all concerned on obtaining the GB200A call sign and the necessary permissions to set up the special event station.
Wed Jul 18 09:35:15 2007
Huw Owen, Herefordshire
Sounds like an excellent project to promote the Aberaeron Bicentenary - I am sure there will be lots of people who have connections with Aberaeron who will get in touch through this medium. Just make sure you boys don't get your wires crossed!
Fri Jun 15 14:50:01 2007
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