ILLW 2017

Lighthouses QSL Card

Introduction

Former TRINITY LIGHT VESSEL 55, the ‘John Sebastian’, is moored in Bathurst Basin in the centre of Bristol and has her own postal address, namely: ‘The John Sebastian, Bathurst Basin, Bristol BS1 4RL’. However, there are some specific details that will be of interest to radio hams:

  • Lat/Long: 51.446579°,-2.595022°
  • IARU: IO81qk
  • IOTA: EU005 (UK Mainland)
  • WAB: ST57 – England
  • ILLW Reference: UK0176

Location

Operation

Just before this years event we were on the verge of cancelling operations. Our hosts, the Cabot Cruising Club, received an official communication from the powers that be at Bristol City Council who had decided that along with closing most of the City Centre to traffic over the weekend to facilitate the Bristol Grand Prix cycle race on the Saturday and the HSBC sponsored “Let’s Ride” on the Sunday that they would also close Cumberland Road, Commercial Road and Wapping Road to traffic and pedestrians to allow a new bridge, which is presumably something to do with ever ongoing Metro Bus roadworks, to be lowered into place along side the existing Old Wapping Bridge.

Of course the official communication gave no indication of the works simply that these roads would be closed and that as a direct result vehicular access to the John Sebastian would not be possible at all over the entire weekend of the Lighthouses and Lightships weekend. Naturally our hosts were apologetic but as the matter was out of their hands and there was unlikely to be any Club members in Bathurst Basin they felt unable to accommodate us this year, a situation we sympathised with but which none the less was the likely results of the Councils actions.

The Council did promise that there would be alternative pedestrian access to the John Sebastian, although the Main Contractor working on the bridge works did their damnedest to make this as difficult as possible.

Fortunately the Cabot Cruising Club are nothing if not resilient and Vice-Commodore Ben offered to walk into the John Sebastian at the start and end of both the Saturday and the Sunday to open up and let us on board and to close up and secure the ship when we packed up for the day. Our thanks go to The Cabot Cruising Club and Ben in particular for being prepared to put themselves out to this extent to allow our operation to continue.

So on the morning of the Saturday we assembled at a staging area off Gas Ferry Road near the SS Great Britain and transferred all of our equipment and as many people as possible to one car which was driven round to a loading/unloading point some 160m from the John Sebastian from where the equipment was manhandled to the ship itself. We expected this to be straightforward since the City Council had provided a written assurance that there would be alternative pedestrian access to the John Sebastian. The only route to the John Sebastian from Guinea Street or Commercial Road involved walking through the Contractors compound on the site of the public pay and display car park adjacent to the former General Hospital Site.

Setting up the antennaAntenna Feedpoint at Full Height

With the equipment on site Mark M0SKV and Joe 2E0EIC made a start on setting up whilst Andy G7KNA returned the car to the staging area and walked back to Bathurst Basin along the dock front which continued to be open to pedestrians. These three were joined by Eddie M0LJT and Julian M0JCE.

Julien M0JCE and Joe 2E0EICAndy G7KNA logging, Mark M0SKV operating with Julien M0JCE and Joe 2E0EIC observing

The operation followed the principles of previous years, an 80m doublet was suspended from the top of the flagpole atop the lantern tower thanks to a convenient lanyard giving the feedpoint an elevation of some 20m above the water level. The ends of the doublet were brought back to the bow and stern of the vessel probably some 6m – 7m above the water level. For good measure an earth wire was slung over the side of the ship. The remaining equipment comprised:

  • Yeasu FT-991 HF/VHF/UHF Multimode transceiver
  • MFJ-934 manual ATU
  • Watson NF-22 Power Mite switchmode PSU

Not a particularly complex or high powered station we think you’ll agree, but quite practical when you consider the logistics of the weekend.

Mark M0SKV operating GB0CCC with Andy G7KNA logging

The bands were particularly problematic over the weekend, we lost count of the number of contacts who would be S9 on the first over and then disappear into the noise on the second over. This wasn’t helped by a high noise floor that we hadn’t experienced at this location in previous years. We don’t know if the increase in noise level is a permanent thing we will have to deal with or something unique to this year. The differences between this and previous years can be summarised as follows:

  • The Foundry development now constructed;
  • Much of the General Hospital redevelopment is now completed and occupied;
  • New restaurants and bars on the ground floor of the General Hospital Redevelopment now open and trading;
  • Contractors compound on public pay and display car park with generator;
  • Bridge lifting operations and temporary traffic signals.

The first three items will be permanent so if these are the cause of the increased noise floor it is reasonable to assume that the situation will be permanent, however if the other items are the root cause or simply contributing to the problem then with a bit of luck next year will be better. Club members who were situated in quieter locations reported that on Sunday we were being called by a number of stateside stations that were audible on the outskirts of the City but inaudible to us.

Julian M0JCE operating GB0CCCJulian M0JCE operating GB0CCC

We had another issue on the Sunday, sometime around 14:00 a gas canister on board a boat just outside Bathurst Basin exploded sinking the pleasure cruiser. More details on the story can be found on the BBC and other, websites. We were unaware of what the cause was but the Police helicopter spent some time low overhead which meant that practically we couldn’t operate as a result of the rotor noise.

Best DX of the weekend was probably Malta which is some 2,150km.

GB0CCC Log

Date of Contact Time Station Worked Band or Freq (MHz) Mode TX RX Operator’s Name QTH IARU Locator Distance (km) Notes
RST No. RST No.
19/08/2017 11:03 LI5TA 20m SSB 57       Geih Borhaug     NO0003 – Lista Lighthouse
19/08/2017 11:08 EG1LWV 20m SSB 59   59     A Coruna     ES0002 – Cabo Vilano
19/08/2017 11:13 GB2SL 40m SSB 59   59     Yorkshire East Riding     UK0080/UK0081 – Spurn Point Lighthouses High and Low
19/08/2017 11:17 GW4GNY 40m SSB 59   59   Martin Welshpool      
19/08/2017 11:23 G0ICE 40m SSB 59   59   Mac Cambridge      
19/08/2017 11:27 G3OHC 40m SSB 59   59   Graham Guildford      
19/08/2017 11:34 G8BZY 40m SSB 48   59   Denis Huddersfield      
19/08/2017 11:35 G3YZY 40m SSB 59   59   Howard Waterlooville Portsmouth      
19/08/2017 11:37 G0BFJ 40m SSB 59   59   Brian Huddersfield      
19/08/2017 11:39 G4YMB 40m SSB 58   59   Mac Guisborough      
19/08/2017 11:40 G3WRI 40m SSB 59   59   Paul Kendle      
19/08/2017 11:43 G4LMZ 40m SSB 59   59   Martin Manchester      
19/08/2017 11:47 M0VIE 40m SSB 59   59   Kevin Crewe      
19/08/2017 11:52 M6MPN 40m SSB 58       Brian Weyland Lancashire      
19/08/2017 11:54 G4PAC 40m SSB 59   59   Victor Bridport West Dorset      
19/08/2017 11:56 OK1DOL 40m SSB 57   57   Libror Kozolupy      
19/08/2017 11:58 ON4CCC 40m SSB 47       Mark Flanders      
19/08/2017 11:59 G4WBV 40m SSB         Roger Sea Mills      
19/08/2017 12:01 F5VIG 40m SSB 59   59   Mike Saint Servais      
19/08/2017 12:07 MW1EPI 40m SSB 59   59   Dylan Isle of Anglsey      
19/08/2017 12:10 G0NKZ 40m SSB 59   59   Ken Watchett      
19/08/2017 12:19 ON7ERA 40m SSB 46   58   Marc Flanders     Club Station – Eeklo Radio Amateurs
19/08/2017 12:23 GB2TD 40m SSB           Anglesey     UK0047 – Penmon/Trwyn Du
19/08/2017 12:25 PI4DX 40m SSB 58   59   Erik Walsoorden     Crew Contest Group Zeeuwsvlaanderen
19/08/2017 12:29 M0PER 40m SSB 59   57   Alan Chester      
19/08/2017 12:34 GM4MTI 40m SSB 54   59   Donald Oban      
19/08/2017 12:41 MM3PDM/M 40m SSB 57   59   Peter Peterhead      
19/08/2017 12:44 GI0AZB 40m SSB 57   59   Ian NW Northern Irelend      
19/08/2017 12:47 GM4NFI 40m SSB 57   57   Dave Fort William      
19/08/2017 12:52 M0UCB 40m SSB 58   59   George Morpeth      
19/08/2017 12:55 GB2LBN 40m SSB 59   58   Issy Dunbar     UK0034 – Barns Ness Lighthouse
19/08/2017 13:16 HB9BIN/P 20m SSB 59   59   Juerg        
19/08/2017 13:51 GB2TNL 40m SSB 59   59   Richard Wilkhaven     UK0151 – Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
19/08/2017 14:22 DL8DZ 40m SSB 57   57   Wolfgang Meschede-Freienohl      
19/08/2017 14:23 DL4JLM 40m SSB 58   58   Lars Oberdolling      
19/08/2017 14:26 IK2IQD 40m SSB 59   59   Flavio        
19/08/2017 14:27 F/G6LKB/P 40m SSB 57   59   David W Coast of France      
19/08/2017 14:30 DB8AH 40m SSB 58       Heinz Alpen      
19/08/2017 14:32 DL1YCG 40m SSB 57   59   Andreas Ickern      
19/08/2017 14:34 EA2RC 40m SSB 59       Juan Bilbao      
19/08/2017 14:40 F5RAG 40m SSB 59                
19/08/2017 14:52 DM500RT 40m SSB 59   59     Warstein     Special Amateur Radio Station on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the reformation in 2017
20/08/2017 09:37 G3YSW 40m SSB 59   59   Nigel W of Brighton      
20/08/2017 09:43 M0HEM 40m SSB 59   59   John Dagenham      
20/08/2017 09:46 M0ICR 40m SSB         Carl Eastbury      
20/08/2017 09:48 G1TDN 40m SSB 59   59   Trevor Hull      
20/08/2017 09:53 GM0EKM 40m SSB 47   57   Cecil Sandwick Shetland      
20/08/2017 09:54 F4CMS 40m SSB 59   59           Department 95
20/08/2017 09:57 LX1JX 40m SSB 47       Jacquot Reuler      
20/08/2017 10:08 GB6NT 40m SSB 59   59   Caroline Walton on the Naze     UK0212 – Naze Tower
20/08/2017 10:14 DA2010LH 20m SSB 58   55     Krummhoern     DE0048 – Lighthouse Campen
20/08/2017 10:47 GB2LMG 40m SSB 59   59     Cairngaan     UK0086 – Mull of Galloway
20/08/2017 10:50 M0TAZ 40m SSB 59   59   Dave Hornchurch      
20/08/2017 10:51 G3UGC 40m SSB 59   59   Jack Lancashire      
20/08/2017 10:57 GS4LAB/P 40m SSB 57   57   Dave Cromarty     UK0202 – Cromarty Lighthouse
20/08/2017 10:58 M0ECS 40m SSB 59   59   John Essex      
20/08/2017 11:02 M1ULD 40m SSB 59   59   Jeff Newcastle      
20/08/2017 11:03 M0XDX 40m SSB 57   59   Paul Lincolnshire      
20/08/2017 11:06 G4AQA 40m SSB 59   59   Peter Hull      
20/08/2017 11:07 M0ORH 40m SSB 59   59   Roy Hull      
20/08/2017 11:08 G0SBW 40m SSB 57   58   Tom Clacton-on-Sea      
20/08/2017 11:08 G4PDF 40m SSB 59   59   Bob Lincoln      
20/08/2017 11:11 G3PRI 40m SSB 59   59   Dave Bishops Stortford      
20/08/2017 11:15 2E0EIC 40m SSB 57   57   Joe Bristol      
20/08/2017 11:16 G0PPQ 40m SSB 59   59   Peter W Yorkshire      
20/08/2017 11:18 PA5KK 40m SSB 59   59   Klaas Schagen      
20/08/2017 11:18 M0HNL 40m SSB 57   59   Bob York      
20/08/2017 11:21 DK9JI 40m SSB 57   59   Alfons Dingden      
20/08/2017 11:23 GM4NNC 40m SSB 57   59   Trig Dumfries      
20/08/2017 11:24 EI2WRC/P 40m SSB 59   59   David Churchtown Co Wexford     IE0003 – Hook Head Lighthouse
20/08/2017 11:28 MI0TMW 40m SSB 59   59   Merv County Antrim      
20/08/2017 11:30 M0CBQ 40m SSB 59   59   Bill Lincolnshire      
20/08/2017 11:32 GB2WLH 40m SSB 59   59   David Withernsea     UK0013 – Withernsea Lighthouse
20/08/2017 11:34 M0KBH 40m SSB 59   59   Nigel Ashby NE Lincolnshire      
20/08/2017 11:40 G0TNF/P 40m SSB 59   59   Micheal Penrith      
20/08/2017 11:42 M0KLK 40m SSB 59   59   Bill Isle of Sheppey      
20/08/2017 11:44 EI7HDB 40m SSB 59   59   Dale Co Carlow      
20/08/2017 11:46 G3VCG 40m SSB 59   59   Don Chelmsford Essex      
20/08/2017 11:50 GB2EVR 40m SSB 57   57   Mike Cumbria      
20/08/2017 11:52 G8OO 40m SSB 59   59   Alan Norwich      
20/08/2017 11:53 G0GWY 40m SSB 59   59   Jeff Lincolnshire     WAB Square SE90
20/08/2017 11:55 G0IAG 40m SSB 59   59   Tony Peterborough      
20/08/2017 11:57 G0HLL 40m SSB 59   59   Ron Leicester      
20/08/2017 12:00 G3NRD 40m SSB 58   57   Don 8 miles from Lands End      
20/08/2017 12:01 G4ZRP 40m SSB 59   59   Brian Wirral Peninsula     WAB SJ28
20/08/2017 12:04 G4AUQ 40m SSB 59   59   Fred Hull      
20/08/2017 12:06 M0PWC/A 40m SSB 57   59   Paul Stoke on Trent      
20/08/2017 12:09 2E0GBK 40m SSB 59   59   Keith Leatherhead     WAB TQ15
20/08/2017 12:10 G0FHR/M 40m SSB 57   59   Dave M25 South of London approaching the Dartford Tunnel      
20/08/2017 12:13 G4RGV 40m SSB 59   59   John Gatwick      
20/08/2017 12:15 GB0NL 40m SSB 59   59   Kevin Newhaven     UK0196 – Newhaven Lighthouse
20/08/2017 12:16 GB8SL 40m SSB 59   59   Pete Shoreham-by-Sea     UK0023 – Shoreham Lighthouse
20/08/2017 12:18 G4AWJ 40m SSB 59   59   Gordon Heathfield      
20/08/2017 12:21 M6HCU 40m SSB 59   59   Paul Leicester      
20/08/2017 12:24 2E0EII/P 40m SSB         John Thurmaston      
20/08/2017 12:25 2E0KKM 40m SSB     59   Kevin Kings Lynn      
20/08/2017 12:27 G0IJM 40m SSB 59   59   John Leicester      
20/08/2017 12:31 G0DRM 40m SSB 59   59   David Nantwich      
20/08/2017 12:33 G4RKB 40m SSB     59   Nial Colchester      
20/08/2017 12:34 MM0ERK 40m SSB 57   59   Brian Farnell     WAB NO65
20/08/2017 12:36 G4TQE 40m SSB 59   59   John Oswestry      
20/08/2017 12:40 G4BQJ 40m SSB 59   59   Allan Warrington      
20/08/2017 12:46 M0XGS 40m SSB 57       Gary Westhoughton      
20/08/2017 12:49 G0JPX 40m SSB 59   59   Roy        
20/08/2017 12:52 GD0BFN 40m SSB         Jon Douglas      
20/08/2017 12:56 GW6STK 40m SSB 59   59   Robert Colwyn Bay      
20/08/2017 13:18 G8YWK 40m SSB 58   59   Bill Newcastle-upon-Tyne      
20/08/2017 13:31 GB0HL 40m SSB 57   59     Norwich     UK0007 – Happisburgh Lighthouse
20/08/2017 13:37 GB4WL 40m SSB 59   59     Whitgift     UK0113 – Whitgift Lighthouse
20/08/2017 14:00 9H3AY 20m SSB 59   59   Jeff Gozo      
20/08/2017 14:47 HB9EOU 20m SSB 59   57   Ludo Chaux-de-fonds