SEARS at Canvey Yacht Club Sat 8th Aug 2015

On Saturday the 8th of August, the South Essex Amateur Radio Society (SEARS) operated a special event station from The Island Yacht Club, Canvey Island, to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the two B17s that crashed at Canvey Point in 1944, as well as VJ Day.

Some of the GB2HB team at the Island Yacht Club 08 Aug 2015
Some of the GB2HB team at the Island Yacht Club 08 Aug 2015

The club operated using the callsign GB2HB (after “Heavenly Body II”, one of the downed aircraft). The station was set up at Canvey Point, just a few hundred yards from the crash site. The station operated FM and SSB voice, CW, PSK and DMR.

This was SEARS’ 7th field event so far this year, and as well as a beautifully sunny day, was a great day for club members. As well as many of the club’s regular members, some new faces came along to sample a SEARS event, with one amateur signing up as a member on the spot – always a good sign!

Operating a GB special event station is a rite of passage for many amateurs entering the hobby, and today SEARS member Paul M6NFW took control of GB2HB on 40m, working stations from around the UK, as well as a DK station in Germany (not the US, as misheard by M0PSX!). Well done to Paul for a great session on 40m – a natural at working a busy HF station.

Paul M6NFW,operating his first special event callsign, GB2HB
Paul M6NFW, operating his first special event callsign, GB2HB

The 2m station was the station on-air, with Dorothy M0LMR clocking up the first five contacts. 2m wa son for most of the day, by HF formed the centre of attention.

Guest messages is an important part of any GB callsign’s remit and some VIP guest messages were sent in the morning – Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point send a guest message on 2m, followed by Canvey Island Councillor Ray Howard also sending message courtesy of amateur radio. They were on site unveiling a mural on the sea wall.

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point  sending a greetings message, courtesy of SEARS
Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point sending a greetings message, courtesy of SEARS
 Essex County Councillor Ray Howard sending a greetings message at the GB2HB special event station
Essex County Councillor Ray Howard sending a greetings message at the GB2HB special event station

In the afternoon, the team was joined by Iryna, who had the chance to send her first guest message:

Terry helping Iryna with her first guest message on GB2HB
Terry helping Iryna with her first guest message on GB2HB
Dorothy M0LMR and Steve G4ZUL working GB2HB
Dorothy M0LMR and Steve G4ZUL working GB2HB

As well as operating voice, the team ran some PSK31, as well as CW. One rather unexpected sight, was Steve G4ZUL, well-known for his love of CW, on the mic working 40m voice, before switching back to the comfort of the paddle. Nice to see you and to catch up Steve!

A rare sight, Steve G4ZUL working voice, not CW!
A rare sight, Steve G4ZUL working voice, not CW!

A superb day playing radio and catching up with good friends. The SEARS team will be meeting on Tuesday the 11th for their next club night, and will we operating a station in Bradwell later in August – More details on the SEARS website.

GB2HB August 2015 Video- Created by SEARS

More on the GB2HB location & event

The Island Yacht Club is an excellent location for radio, and for some great views across the Thames Estuary – From there, you can walk along the wall to the point and see some of the murals that have been painted on the seawall by where Heavenly Body crashed ..here is a link to the Canvey Community Archive. Tribute to the Heavenly Body crew

Related Links

More information on the SEARS website at www.southessex-ars.co.uk

Photo Gallery

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4 Comments

  1. M0LMR 8 August 2015 Reply
    • Pete M0PSXAuthor 8 August 2015 Reply
      • M0LMR 10 August 2015 Reply
  2. Kevin Jackson 12 August 2015 Reply

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