Sutton Windmill

GB0PUF
"A breath of fresh air from Norfolk"

Sutton Windmill
Windmills On The Air Weekend
12 & 13 May, 2001

Harlow And District
Amateur Radio Society

Sutton Windmill

About Sutton Windmill

**** Recommended by the Harlow And District Amateur Radio Society ****

Sutton Mill is Britain's tallest windmill and was built over 200 years ago.  It fell derelict in 1940 but has since been restored by its new owner, Chris Nunn.  The mill forms part of the Broads Museum which houses a wide collection of 20th century items.


Our hosts - Pam and Chris

   The site is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm between 1st April and 30th September.  It is situated mid way between Great Yarmouth, Cromer and Norwich in the village of Sutton.  For enquiries call 01692-581195 or send mail to [email protected]

Statistics From The Event

Due to limited numbers and the distance from our home QTH we were only able to operate between mid-day Saturday and mid-day Sunday.  During that time we made 67 QSO's with such exotic locations as Spain (9AZAA/P), Russia (RN3ZFZ), Bosnia Herzegovina (T94QK) and Budapest (HA5EX).  Many other special events were active leading to interesting contacts with, for instance, Escale Lead Mine (GB0KLM), County Air Ambulance (Kent GB2FFL and West Midlands GB0CAA) and the Horsington Beer Festival (GB2HBF) in Somerset.  We were active on UIVIEW on Saturday and demonstrated SSTV on Sunday.

Terry on HF and Alex on 2 metres

Terry, Alex, Chris, Phil, Stefan

We spoke to a total of 11 other mills as follows:

GB0DGW Damsoy Green Windmill GB2UW Upminster Windmill (Essex)
GB2NLW North Levington Windmill GB2BWT Braughing Windmill (Hertfordshire)
PI4OSS Belgium running quad from sails GB2CM Coldstream Watermill
GB2GW Gleiston Watermill GB2MWS Shackstocks Watermill (Leicestershire)
GB2BM Bursledon Windmill (Southampton) GB2PW Parkgate Windmill (Crowborough)
GB0HSM Hye Sail Mill (Worthing)

And, of course many individuals from around the world.  Thanks to all of you for making our event special.

Windy Wilson's Write-Up

The weather was great even if the propagation was lacklustre. We pitched our tents at the foot of the mill and had full access to the museum and windmill.  The award for bravery goes to Phil who spent a ghostly night alone in the windmill.

One pleasing aspect of the event was the number of members of  public who showed an interest.  Although some members of the team couldn't help showing off!

spot the novelty attraction
I left those ground plane radials around here somewhere

Phil (M5BTB),
  Alex (M1EPR),
     Stefan (2E1HAX)

Chris (M5IMI),           
Terry (G0BXL),     
Lorna (2E1HKD)
Chris (M5IMI)

Stefan (2E1HAX)

Terry (G0BXL)

 Alex (M1EPR)
Phil (M5BTB)

Richard (2E1HKE)

 
The operating station was set up on the second floor of the ten storey building which was plenty high enough for some of us.  The VHF vertical and one end of the Windom were secured from a platform 

Alex on top platform

 at the rear of the cap and a full size G5RV was strung out between two flag poles.  If you look carefully at any of the windmill pictures you will see younger members of the team demonstrating their ease with heights.

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