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Mills On The Air Weekend

Posted on 15 May 201715 May 2017 By Pete M0PSX 1 Comment on Mills On The Air Weekend

A quick report on the 2017 Mills On The Air Weekend.

The 13th and 14th of May saw many windmills across the UK being activated for this annual event. Four groups (that we know of) activated windmills over the weekend, as follows:

  • BADARS: The Alderford Mill in Sible Hedingham was active as GB2AWM
  • HADARS: The Harlow club activated the Thaxted Windmill using the callsign GB0TWM
  • SEARS: Active on Sunday from Rayleigh Windmill as GB2RWM
  • Secret Nuclear Bunker Group: Activated GB2UW, Upminster Windmill

I spent Sunday the 14th May with SEARS, the South Essex Amateur Radio Society, who has two stations running – a very busy 2m FM station, and an HF station on the club’s Icom ic-7300, mostly running CW, with occasional SSB.

Rayleigh Windmill - May 2017
Rayleigh Windmill – May 2017

Over 60 QSOs were logged on 2m FM alone – one of the busiest 2m stations that I’ve heard, partly due to some good luck, and partly through the power of social media.

As the 2m station started, we made “first contact” Dave M0TAZ at the Upminster Windmill. We sat on 145.550MHz for a while, sending out the frequency via Twitter and Facebook, offering people the chance to work two windmills back-to-back. We were shortly joined by Guy, operating GB6MW, from Meopham Windmill in Kent, allowing locals to get three windmills in their logs in one hit. Great co-operation between stations, and prompt updates via Facebook and Twitter reporting on operating frequencies, kept the FM voice station buzzing for most of the day.

SEARS GB2RWM in May 2017 (Thanks to Dorothy M0LMR for the pic)
SEARS GB2RWM in May 2017 (Thanks to Dorothy M0LMR for the pic)

Several people took turns to operate on 2m, some getting their first chance to operate a special event station, and some (Gary & Jo) travelling from Kent to Rayleigh to take part. As the station was busy, a logger was backing up most of the operators. One passer-by was encouraged to get on-air and get his first hands-on taste of the hobby.

Well done to SEARS for organising a great day – topped off of course, by Vic’s bacon butties!

Pete M0PSX

Dorothy M0LMR on the mic at the mill (May 2017)
Dorothy M0LMR on the mic at the mill (May 2017)

Event Photos

 

Related Links

  • South Essex Amateur Radio Society Website
  • SEARS Club Profile
  • Essex Ham’s reports on recent SEARS events
  • Promote your club events on Essex Ham
Involved with a club in Essex? We can help to promote your club’s event to the amateur radio community. Send us your events news, and we’ll help to promote your event to amateurs from across Essex and beyond. If your club’s events aren’t being featured, get in touch with Essex Ham, or find out more about how Essex Ham supports local clubs.
Events Tags:Rayleigh windmill, SEARS

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Previous Post: Essex Skills Night May 2017 – Reminder
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Comment (1) on “Mills On The Air Weekend”

  1. M0LMR says:
    15 May 2017 at 23:53

    Yes I think everyone enjoyed the day , a very busy one for radio, lovely warm weather too , nice to see Jo and Gary on Their ” windmill crawl ” ( like a pub crawl but with windmills instead) . Lovely tea coffee and water , when I got a tickly cough mid QSO , a lovely day indeed , well done everyone xx

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