GB2WHO - 2002 Event
Words & Photos by Ian
Mad rush on the Friday night. Upto Malcolms ‘WZZ to hitch up the Raynet van that was graciously on loan and high tail it down to Llangollen. Back up to ‘WZZ to strip out the In Car entertainment system i.e. my large bass Box from my box to cart the generator home with me.
(Ian's Car - Laden with all the kit)
Up at 6.30 and spend next hour converting my chariot into a van. Fully loaded with radio kit, no room for kitchen sink as that already down in Llandudno.
Myself and
the kids roll up on site abt 815. first job white stick up first on pumpup mast
together with the trap dipole. Not been as care full I get stabbed in forehead
with radial of the white stick antenna.
Up she goes (mast) With the ends of the dipole suitably tied off around the trunks of the trees generator securely chained in place, rig connected up- rock and roll. First CQ put out about 0900 had to use the batteries as I had fun and games with generator for about an hour until I worked out how to use it correctly.
The day progresses, working the other Museums along the way, the Alan GW6ZCR/MW3JAP turns up, dons a fetching pinny and assumes the role of Chief Cook and Bottle washer. One bag of Chips and a Cuppa, we were back in business. Early evening comes along my sister comes along to take the kids home and I await arrival of Malcolm ‘WZZ. Station is shut down for the evening, with everything locked away we QSYd up to GB0CVA via the Burger emporium.
GB0CVA was busy working away, good opportunity to have a look around the Hangar and to take some piccies.
(Note by Mark: We'd only just begun in reality when Ian arrived, granted we'd been on air since about 10am, but we were just about settling in for the night-shift!!)
Home ward bound, some well earned sleep, for tomorrow, well that’s another day.
Day 2
Up early
then high tail it back down to Llangollen. Up goes the antennas and fire up the
generator. GB2WHO is back on the air. Pretty hard going today. Many Continental
stations on the band. But I manage to find a reasonably quiet spot on 40mtrs.
The day moves on, this time no kids with me, so able to concentrate more, kettle goes on. Another well earned cuppa me thinks. Stephen G6ZMD/M3ZMD turns up to lend a hand, but like magic there's no activity on the band now. Really struggling to work any other Museums. Next visitor Vic GW3RME, then Team 2 operators from GB0CVA , Mark MW1MDH/MW3MDH , Stephen MW1STE/MW3SMF and Simon MW3***, they have packed in early. They have come down to see how a proper station is run HI HI HI.
Well the day comes to an end, a phone call from Malcolm ‘WZZ and while he’s on his way down I start to dismantle the station .within 40 mins it is ready for him to transport away.
I would like to thank the Staff of Dapol for allowing us to participate from the Doctor Who Experience again this year.
Special
thanks to Malcolm GW0WZZ for loan of Caravan, to Alan GW6ZCR/MW3JAP was his
expert Catering skills.
To RSGB for advertising our event in RadCom and on GB2RS.
QSL cards have been sent Via the TARDIS to the Bureau.
To Date…. GB2WHO is the highest registered Museum to work 37 museums in total. Not bad for a single handed operator.
So, in the eyes of the Doctor we shall see you on the Band again Last Year !!!
Ian in the van
Log typed up by Ian, Imported through Access into Excel!