Operating from LV15 Light Vessel in Tollesbury

Reporting live from the Trinity Light Vessel LV15 moored at Tollesbury on Saturday the 20th August 2011.

LV15 Trinity Light Vessel at Tollesbury
LV15 Trinity Light Vessel at Tollesbury

Several Essex amateur radio operators are aboard the bright red vessel that is the LV15 Trinity House Light Vessel at Tollesbury. They’re operating as part of the Lighthouses/Lightships On the Air Weekend.

At the moment, the team are transmitting on 40 metres at a power of 100 watts using a vertical HF aerial, and making some great contacts. QSOs are a mix of CW (Morse) and SSB (voice). As of 1525BST, Andy is on the morse key on 10.108MHz.

Andy and James operating 40 metres HF
Andy G0IBN and James 2E1GUA operating 40 metres HF

Our host for the day is Andy G0IBN, and other amateurs on board are Steve G4ZUL, Martyn G1EFL, James 2E1GUA, Jim 2E0RMI, Pete 2E0PSL, oh, and Ann on the kettle.

Earlier today, Jim 2E0RMI and Pete 2E0PSL tried a few 2 metre contacts using home-made slim jim aerials tied to the top of the lightship, and could also open up a decent number of local repeaters. Although a very clear day, it was a little windy, so apologies for the noisy 2 metre QSOs.

Pete 2E0PSL operating on 2 metres from atop the LV15
Pete 2E0PSL operating on 2 metres from atop the LV15. Note the scaffolding work around the main mast.

Facilities onboard the LV15 are superb, and the ship’s location made for great operating conditions. As you will see from some of the photos, some maintenance work was being undertaken at the same time, making those of us in the shack jump now and again, as scaffolding poles were being moved above us on the helicopter deck.

The team wrapped up transmissions at around 4pm on Saturday, and will be on-air again tomorrow, Sunday the 21st of August.

Here are a few more pictures from Saturday’s operation

James, Martyn, Ann, Jim and Pete at the top
James, Martyn, Ann, Jim and Pete at the top
The Trinity House LV15 Light Tower
The Trinity House LV15 Light Tower
Jim 2E0RMI busy operating the HF bands
Jim 2E0RMI busy operating the HF bands
View showing the vertical HF antenna
View showing the vertical HF antenna
Andy, Pete, James, Jim and Simon at the controls
Andy, Pete, James, Jim and Steve at the controls
View of Tollesbury from the top of the Lightship
View of Tollesbury from the top of the Lightship

Thanks to Andy G0IBN for his hospitality, and for a great day’s operating!

6 Comments

  1. James 21 August 2011 Reply
  2. Dennis 21 August 2011 Reply
  3. Kevin vk2ce 22 August 2011 Reply
  4. Jim 2E0RMI 22 August 2011 Reply
  5. David Hillyer 23 August 2011 Reply
  6. David Hillyer 24 August 2011 Reply

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *