6BTV downed in storm. Beware of cheap 'para-cord'.

The 6 band trapped vertical was downed during a series of storms with sustained wind speeds of over 90MPH with gusts over 100MPH being recorded around the UK. 

The antenna was fitted with 6 guy ropes with 3 about 1/3 of the way up and 3 about 2/3 of the way up the antenna the two groups of guy lines were equally spaced around the antenna and secured to large fence posts and one of the small sheds. This appeared to be holding up and working well during the first two storms. Unfortunately as the third storm was reaching its peak at least one of the guy lines snapped initiating a complete structural collapse of the antenna. The bottom section of alloy tubing was badly bent with two of the upper sections and one trap also damaged in the collapse. 

The guy lines used on this antenna were made from the same so called 'para cord', green woven outer covering containing 11 individual strands.  The same cord was also used for stringing up a few wire antennas that survived the storms only to be brought down the following week as we got battered by another storm with high winds and heavy hail. 

Beware of cheap 'para-cord' !  There are many products available that are sold as para cord or shock cord that may be fine for light duty use but simply do not have the tensile strength to be reliable in  harsh weather conditions.  I have repaired the damaged trap and straightened out two of the three bent sections of tubing, The bottom tube section was the most severely bent and will most likely have to be replaced. 

I will be investing in some proper heavy duty, high strength, 'tried and tested' para-cord from a reputable supplier of antenna hardware when the vertical is reapaired and re-erected in springtime.

Like many things, going for the cheap option may do the job under low stress conditions, but will inevitably fail when conditions deteriorate. It is simply not strong enough to handle elevated stress and high peak loading during storm conditions. 

I should have known better but instead of waiting until I could get some good quality high strength cord I used the cheap stuff that I already had in a rush to get the vertical on air. 

Learn from my mistake. Use proper high strength para-cord or proper guy rope from a reputable supplier and avoid the cheaper options found online. 

73 de MM7WAB, Hairy Paul, Ayrshire, S.W.Scotland. 

Paul Godley Transatlantic Centenary Special Event Station, Ardrossan.

 Special Event Station - GS2ZE - GB2ZE - GB1002ZE - Ardrossan - 11-12 Dec 2021

First we have to look back to the times when massive, high powered, expensive spark transmitters were used on very long wavelengths for long distance communication and it was believed that shortwave frequencies were of no practical use other than for short range local transmissions.

 1902

G. Marconi managed to get a single letter 'S' across the Atlantic on 5th December 1902 from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada to Poldhu (Cornwall) in England using a high power longwave spark gap  transmission.  For the next 19 years longwave transmitter and receiver stations were developed and used to send messages across long distances using enormous antenna systems and high power spark transmitters.  It was believed that signals could not be sent long distances using shortwave frequencies.

 1921

In December 1921 Paul Godley 2ZE received the first complete CW message sent by an amateur radio station across the Atlantic ocean on shortwave frequencies. This proved that long distances could be covered on shorter wavelengths without huge, high powered commercial radio transmitters. 

 The test results also proved that CW transmission was a far better mode than the spark gap systems in use at the time.  From 1922 many longwave spark gap transmitter stations were decommissioned and replaced with CW equipment as messages could be sent and received using smaller, cheaper more reliable stations running less power that generated less interference than the noisy spark gap systems. This began a new era in radio communications technology.

1921 Transatlantic Test shortwave receiver station at Ardrossan.

On 9th December 1921 Paul Godley 2ZE set up a receiving station at Ardrossan, Scotland. The receiving equipment used was a Paragon regenerative receiver, Type DA-2 detector-amplifier and a superheterodyne receiver with external beat oscillator. The receiver system used a total of ten tubes (valves) The radio equipment was housed in a tent, with an oil lantern for light and an oil stove for heat. A Beverage wire receiving antenna almost 1,300ft long was strung up 12ft above the ground over a series of poles carriying standard Post Office pattern insulators at 125ft intervals from the tent stretching down the seaweed covered field towards the sea. The phosphor bronze wire was grounded through a variable non-inductive resistance, the ground plates consisted of four lengths of iron pipe buried 4ft in the ground where they reached water. 

He spent the next few nights following the transatlantic test time schedules with an official listener, Mr D.E.Pearson, District Inspector of the Marconi company. They were listening for signals transmitted across the Atlantic ocean from selected amateur radio stations in America. 

At 02:52 GMT on 12th December 1921 Paul Godley received a complete CW message on 1.3MHz (230m) that was sent by 1BCG located in a farmers field in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Transmitter was running 990W into a T-cage antenna, 100ft long and 70ft high with 30 raised radial counterpoise wires each 60ft long. This may seem like a large antenna system and a lot of power but this was considerably smaller than the antennas used by longwave stations and with less than a kilowatt this station was using a fraction of the power normally used for longwave transmissions at that time. 

Up to this point it was believed that it was impossible to use shortwave frequencies for long range communication.

The successful reception at Ardrossan was reported by Paul Godley and Mr Pearson, a message containing the report was sent back to America via the high power, long wave Marconi transmitter station at Carnarvon in Wales where it was transmitted across the Atlantic to the longwave station at New Brunswick, America. 

The transatlantic tests continued until December 16th and more reception reports were returned. Several British amateur stations sucessfully copied CW signals from American amateur stations including, 1AFV, 1BCG, 1UN, 1RU, 1ZE, 1XM, 2BML, 2FP, 2ZC, 2ZL, 2ZU.  

100 years later. . .

2021 

A Special Event Station station was set up within one wavelength of the original location at Ardrossan. This was set up and operated by members of the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club  from 12:00 GMT on Saturday 11th December to 12:00 GMT on Sunday 12th December 2021.

The station was set up at short notice with equipment gathered together by KLARC members. We ended up with four HF sets on site. Two HF stations were operated at the same time, taking care what bands they were operating on to avoid causing each other QRM or desensitization of the receivers. We also had VHF/UHF and network assisted stations on site during the 24 hour event.

Working Conditions

It was cold & wet with bitter icy winds overnight at the Ardrossan Special Event Station site. This was  expected for December on the West coast of Scotland and everyone had dressed accordingly, although I did manage to fill my boots with icy water about 2am on sunday while we were stringing out a linked dipole antenna in the dark. The van provided shelter from wind & rain for equipment with a convenient table that was just big enough to fit two HF stations. A third 'portable' HF station complete with PSU, ATU, radios etc built into a self contained unit on wheels (Very neat 'shack in a box') was also used on Saturday evening. The 160m station and a VHF station were set up in cars parked beside the van, 240V AC power was provided by two generators, one powering equipment in the van, one for stations in other vehicles.   

Antennas

There were three monoband vertical antannas (30m,20m,17m) A multi-band horizontal 'linked dipole' strung between two small mounting poles with central pole mast to elevate the mid point providing a slightly inverted V configuration. The central pole-mast also carried a VHF colinear attached to the top. The linked dipole was held away from the mast attached to a pulley rope. This allowed for the antenna to be dropped and raised quickly for making band changes. This arrangement also made it easy to change over to the top band antenna at night for 160m operation.

 While the 160m station was operational the linked dipole was moved and temporarily erected to the west of the site. Center feed point lofted using extendable pole arrangement with wire sloped to 3ft poles at outer ends. After struggling for a while on 80m we dropped the antenna, unplugged 80m link and pushed it back up in the air to run 40m.  

At this point there were four stations operating simultaneously, the top band station on 160, two SSB HF stations , FT8 station working on 30m and the network radios operating via WiFi mesh and 4G bridge into MB7IAE connected into the FreeSTAR network. 

FT8 digi-mode

During the event the FT8 narrow band digital mode station was mostly working 30m as this was the most stable band throughout the 24hrs of operation at the site. Despite the poor HF band conditions the KLARC team managed to make many good contacts across the Atlantic and had QSOs with stations spread out across four continents. 

FreeSTAR network

We also made over 130 contacts with stations over the FreeSTAR network while operating with the GS2ZE special event callsign. Some of those who made contact over the network had no HF capability due to restrictions at their QTH or were unable to make contact on HF due to poor propagation conditions and were very happy to make contact with the Ardrossan centenary special event station using network assisted communications through linked repeaters, gateways, personal hotspots and software/apps on various platforms connecting a diverse range of  technologies.​ Several stations were also tracking our band changes reported over FreeSTAR network and trying to reach us on HF. 

We made contact with operators using many modes including DMR, WiresX, YSF, NXDN, P25, reflectors, Digital and Analogue gateways & repeaters, network nodes and ops using software solutions including, allstar & PiStar nodes/hotspots, echolink, droidstar, dudestar, peanut etc.. 

 

-+-

I know using network assisted communications at a Transatlantic event may seem odd to some. 

The reasoning behind it is that there are many licensed amateurs around the World who have restrictions at their location and cannot have an HF station on the air. Many landlords, housing associations and even some town planning departments do not allow antennas to be erected or fixed to structures at all !.  Working stations with special event callsign GS2ZE over FreeSTAR network at least gave some of those HF restricted operators a chance to make contact with the site during this historic event using whatever equipment they have available. 

 It only took a few minutes to deploy Inrico T320 (with high gain antenna for 4G data connection) and have Hytera PNC380 , Inrico TM-7 (MK1) and Android tablet connected with FreeSTAR connection live.  With over 130 contacts over the system in the limited times available I am happy that I set up the FreeSTAR station at this event. 

I used a few other systems during the event to keep in touch with friends, clubs and networks. The Inrico T199 (top right in above picture) screenless 16 chan network radio was handy outside when it was raining, (most of the time) The TM-7 was used in the van as it is 'not so waterproof'. The Hytera PNC380 (bottom right in above picture) is also waterproof and was used when I wandered off to the beach, and go beaten back by the harsh icy winds.

 Telegram, Zello and even Zoom (running on another T320) came into play a few times reporting band changes and receiving reports from stations hearing us on HF. 

I think we made best use of the technologies available to us, from throwing RF along a wire for CW on 160m to DV (Digital Voice) over 5GHz mesh and 900/800MHz data link into Global networks. It is all part of the ever broadening spectrum of equipment, modes and methods available to experiment with.

Many thanks to all those who worked GS2ZE, GB2ZE & GB1002ZE at the Ardrossan site on this historic occasion.

Please visit Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club  for more information including links to videos and photos from the centenary special event stations site. 

73 de MM7WAB/2ZE (GS2ZE at Ardrossan event) 

Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery Disaster Memorial.

MM7WAB/P working other licensed amateur radio stations from the commemorative cairn enclosure at the Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery disaster site on Sunday 13 June 2021. Many thanks to the stations that worked me on 2m FM simplex and via the FreeSTAR network during this activation.

(Location NS6097 1250). KNOCKSHINNOCH CASTLE Colliery

Location: New Cumnock
Types of Coal: House and Steam
Production Commenced: 1944
Year Closed: 1968
Year Abandoned: 1969
Workforce: Average 578 : Peak 755
Peak Year: 1956

Shaft/Mine Details: 2 shafts, 187m and 128m deep

Details in 1948: Output 900 tons per day, 264,600 tons per annum, stoop and room working. 580 employees. 3 screens for dry coal. Baum (Simon Carves) type washer. No baths, but canteen available. Steam powered cranes and machinery. Electricity from public supply. 

Pithead baths were added in 1949, and also served neighbouring pits.

The photographs below were taken on 1st day of activation, Sunday 13th June 2021.

 

Clear signage at road end of pathway.

 

Pathway suitable for wheelchair or mobility scooter access.

The enclosure has a wide gate for ease of access and is well cared for.

The commemorative cairn at the Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery disaster site.

Sighting pillar showing headings and distances.

View towards crater site over the sighting pillar.

Detail of the stone at front of memorial enclosure.

View across location of the crater.

The disaster occurred on 7 September 1950 when workings driven too close to the surface allowed a peat basin at the surface to burst into the mine, the ensuing inrush trapping 129 miners underground, of whom 13 subsequently died. Most of the trapped men were heroically rescued through workings connected to the neighbouring Bank No. 6 Colliery. 

The accident occurred about 7.30 p.m., whilst the afternoon shift was at work, on Thursday, 7th September, 1950, when a large volume of liquid peat suddenly broke through from the surface into the No. 5 Heading Section of the Main Coal Seam. The inrush started at the point where the No. 5 Heading, which was rising at a gradient of 1 in 2, had effected a holing at the outcrop of the seam beneath superficial deposits and had made contact with the base of a large natural basin containing glacial material and peat. The liquid matter, rushed down the steeply inclined heading and quickly filled up a large number of existing and abandoned mine tunnel drifts and roadways as well as several working places. This inundation of liquified peat /moss cut off the two means of egress to the surface from the underground workings of the Knockshinnoch Castle colliery.

There were 135 miners working underground at the time. Six men working near the main shaft bottom quickly escaped to the surface by way of the downcast shaft before it become blocked, while 116, with all means of escape cut off, found their way to a part of the mine then unaffected by the inrush, leaving 13 persons missing. The 116 men trapped below ground were rescued after an incredible rescue effort by miners and rescue teams from as far afield as Edinburgh and Liverpool lasting more than two days. 

The 13 men who sadly lost their lives in the disaster were;

1. John Dalziel, 50 Loader Attendant
2. James D. Houston, 46 Coal miner
3. Thomas Houston, 40 Coal miner
4. William Howat, 61 Switch Attendant
5. William Lee, 48 Coal miner
6. James Love, 48 Coal Miner
7. William McFarlane, 36 Coal Miner
8. John McLatchie, 48 Shotfirer
9. John Murray or Taylor, 33 Coal Miner
10. Samuel Rowan, 25 Coal Miner
11. John Smith, 55 Coal Miner
12. Daniel Strachan, 38 Fireman
13. John White, 26 Coal Miner

Further information:

Scottish Mining site page: (enquiry, reports and extensive information including links to newspaper reports of the accident, rescue and recovery operations.) http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/370.html

The Rescue: Timeline and information on the rescue of 116 trapped miners: https://newcumnockhistory.com/mining-minerals/coal-mining/knockshinnoch-disaster-1950/the-rescue/

Video footage of a news report on the disaster from British Pathe news:  https://youtu.be/SnYOKy6_7Uc

Pathe News clips: https://youtu.be/6DHjZcTXO1A

Canmore site information link:  http://canmore.org.uk/site/80656

The disaster was dramatised in 1952 with the release of the British film, 'The Brave Don't Cry', starring John Gregson, Alex Keir and Fulton Mackay.

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