South Bristol Amateur Radio Club

RotA 2011

Introduction and Background

In November 2010 we were kindly contacted by David Wright on behalf of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust to see if we would be interested in taking part in the 2011 Railways on the Air event from the Trusts property at Midsomer Norton South Railway Station. After taking this invitation through the clubs committee process there was clear support for the project and we committed ourselves to taking part.

We would like to thank the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust for inviting us to take part, especially Shirley who handled most of the Trusts side of the organisation, Colin (a fellow Radio Amateur) who included us on the public tours and the buffet car staff who we kept busy with teas, coffees and lunch on both days.

The event took place over the weekend of 24/25 September 2011, and we operated the Special Event station GB0SDR as one of the 34 registered ROTA radio stations. We were even visited by the local press in the form of the Somerset Guardian; you can find their photograph of the event, taken on the Sunday morning, here.

The picture to the left shows the design of our Special Event QSL card, the central photo was taken from the Geograph Project collection. See this photograph's page on the Geograph website for the photographer's contact details. The copyright on this image is owned by Ben Brooksbank and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

The photograph was taken on 22 August 1959 at Midsomer Norton South Station, with Down express View NE, towards Bath. It shows the Somerset & Dorset Joint line (Bath Green Park – Bournemouth West). The 09.35 Sheffield (Midland) to Bournemouth West Summer Saturday express is headed by LMS 2P 4-4-0 No. 40569 piloting BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 No. 73051 and is attacking the 8 miles at 1-in-50/60 climb up from Radstock to the Mendips summit at Masbury.

The station closed on 7/3/66 along with the whole S&D line, but since 1992 has become the headquarters of the Somerset & Dorset Heritage Trust, who now run trains part of the way up towards Chilcompton. Camera location: 51°16'51.58"N, 2°28'58.74"W.

Equipment

As this was our first foray into RotA and HF operations from a temporary location we worked on the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle. Our station comprised:

1. Rig: Club Yaesu FT-840 HF (160m – 10m) Multi-mode Transceiver;
2. Power Supply: Club Manson EP-925 Linear 13.8V, 25A constant Power Supply;
3. Antenna Switch: G0UQT loaned a two way antenna switch;
4. ATU#1: Club MFJ-??? manual ATU;
5. Antenna #1: 2E0RCG loaned his 10m Pro-Whip Loop antenna which was set up in the garden adjacent to the operating shelter;
6. ATU #2: G0DRX loaned his SGC SG-237 automatic ATU;
7. Antenna #2: 35m end fed long wire suspended from 3.9m scaffold poles attached to the platform fence supports;
8. Computer: Club Dell laptop running HRD for logging. All rig control was manual;
9. Mains Power: This was taken from the Signal Box;

Base of Operations

Our station was set up in the shelter on the north bound platform, more or less at the location from which the central picture in our QSL card was taken from. The photos above show (from left to right) our station with G0DRX operating and David Wright M0DFW/G8BKG President of HARS and life member of S&DRHT assisting, the Pro-Whip loop antenna and the long wire.

The weather over the weekend was unseasonally fine, in fact some of the hottest days of the year were recorded around this period. We had some rain on the Sunday morning which naturally made the temperature fall but despite being outside we managed to stay completely dry. More to the point we kept the rain off the equipment. We persevered through the Sunday morning rain, which lasted about 2 hours in reality, because radio stations we were contacting in Cornwall and parts of the South West indicated that the rain front was moving East having already cleared some of the more westerly operations. Once the rain cleared the temperature quickly rose to shirt sleeve conditions.

Over the weekend we found 40m best for inter-G work. 80m was more or less dead throughout the weekend and 20m quite noisy. We contacted 67 unique radio stations over the two days in locations as diverse as: Eire, Belgium, Italy, France and Lundy Island. Of the 33 possible ROTA operations we managed to track down (no pun intended!) 16 including: Helston Branch Line, Ravensglass and Eskdale Narrow Gauge Line in Cumbria and the Crewe Heritage Centre. Our full log for the event can be found at the bottom of the page. All radio stations contacted will be sent a Special Event QSL card via the RSGB Bureau. You do not have to be a member of the RSGB to receive cards via the Bureau, just find out who your callsign manager is and send them a number of self addressed, stamped envelopes. Word to the wise, as it may take some time for your first envelope to be filled it is worth adding a note to the envelope saying send at 6 cards or whatever you prefer. That way instead of waiting for a full envelope the QSL manager will post it when the requisite number of cards have been collected. More information about the RSGB Bureau is available at the RSGB Website.

The photos below show (from left to right) another shot of our station setup with G7KNA operating and Colin G4PYN and volunteer at the S&DRHT observing, general interest in our station and our members ready to talk to the visitors and distribute publicity.

The Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust

The Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage trust have a number of interesting museum exhibits that reflect various periods in the railway and local history. The first two photos above were taken in the wartime bunker which contains exhibits from the second world war. There is no truth in the rumour that we intended to use the radio equipment as a backup. The last picture was taken inside the restored signal box which is located on the northbound platform near our operating position.

The restoration process includes the station, ancillary buildings, track and rolling stock. The Trust currently run brake van rides along the restored section of track. They need support and visitation, SBARC is proud to have been able to provide something a little out of the ordinary this year to help with publicity.

GB0SDR Log

We will be issuing Special Event QSL cards via the RSGB Bureau, so make sure you have sent your QSL Manager an envelope or three.

Date	Start	End	Station	Band	Mode	RST Sent	RST Received	Name	QTH	Remark	ROTA Station
24/09/2011	10:14	10:15	GB0TLR	40m	LSB	59	59	Keith			Tyttenhanger Light Railway
24/09/2011	10:26	10:27	GB0LVR	40m	LSB	59	59	Frank			Lappa Valley Railway
24/09/2011	10:35	10:37	GB2CPM	40m	LSB	59	59	Peter			Amberley Narrow Gauge Railway
24/09/2011	10:50	10:51	GB0HBL	40m	LSB	59	59	Cliff			Helston Branch Line
24/09/2011	10:54	10:55	GB0BAB	40m	LSB	59	59			Burtonwood Airbase International Museums Weekend (19-20/06/11)
24/09/2011	11:03	11:07	GB4CHC	40m	LSB	59	58	John			Crewe Heritage Centre
24/09/2011	11:11	11:15	GX3ERD/P	40m	LSB	59	55				Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
24/09/2011	11:15	11:20	GB2LHR	40m	LSB	59	59	Bill			Lakeside & Havethwaite Railway
24/09/2011	11:21	11:23	MW6GWR	40m	LSB	59	59	Ricky
24/09/2011	11:25	11:30	M3YSB	40m	LSB	59	59	John
24/09/2011	11:32	11:33	2E0DJR	40m	LSB	59	58	Julian
24/09/2011	11:34	11:35	G3IBI	40m	LSB	59	59	Peter
24/09/2011	11:36	11:39	M6NNC	40m	LSB	57	57	Nigel
24/09/2011	11:40	11:43	G5FZ	40m	LSB	59	59	Chris
24/09/2011	11:44	11:46	M0REJ	40m	LSB	59	59	Ray
24/09/2011	11:47	11:48	G0CJX	40m	LSB	59	59	John
24/09/2011	11:48	11:48	G0UTP	40m	LSB	59	59	Tony
24/09/2011	11:53	11:53	G4PKW	40m	LSB	57	59	John
24/09/2011	11:55	11:55	GM4NFI	40m	LSB		57	Dave
24/09/2011	11:58	11:58	2E1IGI	40m	LSB	59	59	Dougie
24/09/2011	12:06	12:06	M0DKN	40m	LSB	59	59	David
24/09/2011	12:10	12:10	G8WPL	40m	LSB	59	59	Don
24/09/2011	12:11	12:11	G0COC	40m	LSB	59	58	John
24/09/2011	12:14	12:14	G7DSU	40m	LSB	59	59	Chris
24/09/2011	12:21	12:21	MW1ARM	40m	LSB	59	59	Dave
24/09/2011	12:27	12:27	2W0XTP	40m	LSB	59	59	Dean
24/09/2011	12:29	12:29	GB2NPR	40m	LSB	59	59	Fred			Normanby Park Miniture Railway
24/09/2011	12:35	12:35	GW6STK	40m	LSB	59	59	Robert
24/09/2011	12:37	12:37	G7TCW	40m	LSB	57	58	Chris
24/09/2011	12:41	12:41	GN3XRQ	40m	LSB	59	59	Bill			Drumawhey Miniature Railway
24/09/2011	12:45	12:45	G0TRB	40m	LSB	59	57	Roger
24/09/2011	13:00	13:00	G3KAG	40m	LSB	52	54	Tony
24/09/2011	13:06	13:06	F5VIG	40m	LSB	53	42	Mike
24/09/2011	13:09	13:09	GB4BLR	40m	LSB	53	55	Jerry			Battlefield Line Railway – Shackerstone Station
24/09/2011	13:30	13:30	G4KEE	40m	LSB	53	58	Victor
24/09/2011	13:50	13:50	2E0WKX	40m	LSB	55	59	Kevin
24/09/2011	14:06	14:06	GB2PPS	40m	LSB	57		Paul		Papplewick Pumping Station
24/09/2011	15:00	15:00	GB0GCR	40m	LSB	59		Keith			GC Railway, Nottingham
25/09/2011	09:43	09:43	GB0GWR	40m	LSB	59	59	Derek			Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
25/09/2011	10:10	10:10	IN3KIS	20m	LSB	37	55
25/09/2011	10:55	10:55	2W0XTP	40m	LSB	59	59	Dean	25k N Cardiff	FT920
25/09/2011	11:00	11:00	M0TWW	40m	LSB	59	59	Tim	Southend
25/09/2011	11:09	11:09	ON3AFC	40m	LSB	55	56
25/09/2011	11:12	11:12	M0NAS	40m	LSB	59	59	Neil	Colchester, Essex
25/09/2011	11:13	11:13	2E0MTR	40m	LSB	59	59	Mike	Folkstone
25/09/2011	11:22	11:22	G3KAG	40m	LSB	59	57	Tony	Royston
25/09/2011	11:35	11:35	GB2RER	40m	LSB	59	59	Glyn			Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway
25/09/2011	11:44	11:44	GB2HSC	40m	LSB	59	59	David			Hollycombe Steam Collection
25/09/2011	11:56	11:56	GB1NNR	40m	LSB	59	59	Paul	Sherringham		North Norfolk Railway (NB jointly with Bittern DX Group)
25/09/2011	12:18	12:18	GB5RSR	40m	LSB	59	59	Peter	Preston		Ribble Steam Railway
25/09/2011	13:08	13:08	G3KYF	40m	LSB	59	59	Keith
25/09/2011	13:11	13:11	G4STH	40m	LSB	59	59	Tim
25/09/2011	13:14	13:14	G7SSG	40m	LSB	59	59	Jeff
25/09/2011	13:32	13:32	G7NPT	40m	LSB	59	59	Joe
25/09/2011	13:38	13:38	G0DRA	40m	LSB	59	59	Derek	Coniston
25/09/2011	13:38	13:38	M0DCY	40m	LSB	59	59	George
25/09/2011	13:41	13:41	2E0GBA	40m	LSB	59	58	Ian
25/09/2011	13:48	13:48	M0VLC	40m	LSB	59	59	Malcolm
25/09/2011	13:49	13:49	G4LWN	40m	LSB	53	54
25/09/2011	14:01	14:01	G4CIB/P	40m	LSB	59	59	Brian	Lundy Island
25/09/2011	14:18	14:18	G4AYO	40m	LSB	59	59	Mike
25/09/2011	14:18	14:18	G6GWR	40m	LSB	59	59	John
25/09/2011	14:19	14:19	G8ISI	40m	LSB	59	47	Frank
25/09/2011	14:19	14:19	M0HTB	40m	LSB			Henryk	Backwell
25/09/2011	14:24	14:24	EI7HX	40m	LSB	59	59	Jack	Dublin	20 Watts
25/09/2011	14:45	14:45	G0BOR	40m	LSB	59	59	David	Bolton Manchester
25/09/2011	14:50	14:50	GW0BBO	40m	LSB	59	59	Jim
25/09/2011	14:53	14:53	M0MDA	40m	LSB	59	59	Nick	Leeds
25/09/2011	14:55	14:55	MM1BHO	40m	LSB	59	59	Richard	Dumfries
										Total ROTA Stations	16