DXPEDITION TO SOUTH FORELAND LIGHTHOUSE & EAST GOODWIN LIGHTSHIP

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The South Foreland Lighthouse

The East Goodwin Lightship

The Crew

[L to R] Brian Brown (GW0PUP), XYL Pat Brown, Richard Mortimore (GW4BVJ), Midge Jones XYL, Glyn Jones (GW0ANA )

(Glyn GW0ANA)

Trinity House well pleased with Marconi's work (Christmas Eve in South Foreland Light)

Richard (GW4BVJ) and Glyn (GW0ANA)
On deck of East Goodwin Lightship

Glyn (GW0ANA)
Shepherd Neame- Liquid lunch "Toast to Marconi"

Richard (GW4BVJ)
Tapping away, but feeling sea sick

Contacted VK9NL & VK9NS Norfolk Island with just a 7ft (2.14 m) Outbacker antenna & 100 watts from TS50S

December 19th to 25th, 1998
South Foreland Lightshouse and East Goodwin Lightship Expedition. Marconi`s first ship to shore "wireless transmission" was made in December 1898. So on the 19th of December 1998, Richard GW4BVJ & Glyn GW0ANA went out to the East Goodwin Lightship (located 12 miles out in the English Channel from Dover England) to re-enact the "Worlds first marine distress signal". This being "CQD". This distress signal was sent out by the Goodwin Lightship when she was hit in fog by the steamer "R.F.Mathews" 1964 tons loaded with coal on route to Genoa. The collision damaged the East Goodwin Lightship & having a "Marconi Spark-gap" transmitter she sent out a distress call for help. The trip was out for us was difficult due to the stormy sea conditions, with Richard feeling a little sea sick. The skipper of the Trinity House tender "Vectis" did a superb job in getting us alongside in such big seas, & his crew a great job unloading our gear without mishap. Once on board we set up our radio equipment, this being a TS50S 100 watt transmitter powered from a car battery. Our Antenna was an Outbacker Perth fitted to a triple Mag-Mount stuck to a capstan on the foredeck. We could only stay on board for a couple of hours due to tides getting home but we made over 200 QSO`s the best DX being Norfolk Island VK9 GB100SFL Direct QSL`s all posted. Buro cards are now be sent out. Are you pleased with your card.?
QSL Manager Glyn GW0ANA

ZD7K & ZD8K DX-Pedition sets off from RAF Brize Norton bound for Ascension and St Helena Islands.
This DX-Pedition by 4 B.A.R.S. members was the first ever "Outside of Europe DX-Pedition". You can get further information from our other web page by clicking here which will take you to our dedicated site <Click BACK Icon To Return To This Website>. By going to both islands in one DX-Pedition, was we believe, yet another first for Wales. Brought to you for your enjoyment by the most active club in Wales.

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