Photograph reproduced by kind permission of BAE Systems, Great Baddow.
The 365ft mast at Great Baddow is the last wholly intact example from the Chain Home radar system
that was developed by Sir Robert Watson-Watt and his team at Bawdsey Manor following
the Daventry Experiment on 26-Feb-1935, and played such a vital role supporting the RAF in 1940.
26/27/28th February 2010 saw the 75th anniversary of the original experiment at Daventry.
Amateur Special Event Stations at Baddow, Daventry and Bawdsey marked this historic development.
See www.chainhome.org.uk
for other links and reports.
Friday, 26th February, Operating from GB75CH.
On Thursday afternoon we brought the caravan in, put the awnings up, the antennas tuned and
connected in the most appalling conditions.
Friday started wet but the wind got up and blew the rain away and a little sun came out.
80m had more background noise than the previous day but at least there were good signals.
Looking up the Mast with the 50ft and the 200ft platforms in view
A full size 40m & 80m Dipole and a Long-Wire was supported from the 50ft platform.
Photographs by John, G8DET
Classic Riley brought by a member of the Royal British Legion as it was made the same year as the mast.
Photograph by Mark, M0IEO
John, Mark & Norman standing in front of the Mast.
The shed behind has
a steel reinforced roof to protect from things which maybe dropped off the Mast.
Mark, M0IEO standing in front of his caravan
GB75CH Organiser Murray, G6JYB making the historic 11am contact with Bawdsey and Daventry
Mark, M0IEO (left) standing with Andy Tyler, G1GKN, BAE Systems Engineer for the Mast
Clive, G1EUC (left), Andy, Murray, Colin (head only), Norman and Clive, M0GHH
The Royal British Legion party outside the caravan - the Essex President in the British Warm overcoat.
The Royal British Legion party with Murray - posed for Essex Chronicle
Andy Kersey, G0IBN reading the crib sheet while in QSO from GB75CH.
It is unusual to see Andrew using a microphone as he is an expert with Morse and is more at home with a "Key".
Norman standing while operating
CARS Chairman John, G8DET on the microphone - rare occasion.
Photograph by Colin, G0TRM
BAE Systems Director, Mike Worboys introducing the Royal British Legion party to the presentation by Andy Tyler
The Royal British Legion party
Andy Tyler giving his presentation in front of a "100:1" model of the Mast
CARS Member Clive, M0GHH (left) talking to Andy and two members of the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion's Poppy statue and BAE System's Charity Mascot
Saturday, 27th February, Operating from GB75CH.
The wind had died and the sun came out so it was a very nice day.
80m Band conditions were much improved and there
were plenty of stations interested in the Chain Home story - some even had worked on it.
Norman, (nearest the camera), Andy and then Murray.
Note the Vodaphone Dongle hanging from a loop - this provided QRZ.com
Photograph by Colin, G0TRM
Murray, (nearest the camera), Bob, G4MDB on the microphone
Photograph by Colin, G0TRM
Chris, G0IPU (left) and Murray with Peter, G1FOA on the microphone
The SG230 loading the 360ft Mast on Top Band - quite a good aerial!
Richard, M0ZBU logging
Sunday, 28th February, Operating from GB75CH.
It started raining heavily at 3am and continued until 2pm, flooding much of the surrounding countryside.
Although the area by the Chain Home Mast was very wet, it is built on a slight knoll so most
of the excess standing water was running away. The caravan was parked on the only small
piece of stable ground which was fortunate - see photographs of the recovery below.
As the weather forecast had predicted dreadful weather, Mark had taken down the tenting
and stacked it away dry and so Sunday's operation was from inside the caravan.
Prior to starting, the CARS Lottery SDR-IQ receiver surveyed both a quiet 80m band and a busier 40m one.
This resulted in a stable spot on 40m for the rest of the day and resulted in a fresh new crop
of UK and European stations for the GB75CH operating team.
The Sandon Brook near the BAE System's QTH overflowing
The self powered Caravan driving itself onto the service road.
Mark is holding the control Remote.
Mark towing the Caravan home after a fabulous long weekend of Radio.
Thanks to Mark and John from Canvey Island for all the kit and time provided to make GB75CH such a success.
Thanks to BAE Systems and Murray G6JYB for arranging the GB75CH event and Ofcom for allocating the SES Call-sign.
Thanks to BAE Systems for the hospitality in displaying this historic event.
Thanks also for the effort and kind help especially to those persons behind
the scenes who are so necessary to the success of such an event.
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