RAFARS AOTA…
For the first time ever, on Sunday, 8th April 2012, members of LEFARS activated GX4ONP/P from a cold, wet and generally miserable North Weald Airfield during the Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society’s (RAFARS), Airfields on the Air (AOTA) event. Although there was some 2m SSB and FM activity, we were kept busy throughout the whole of the day on 40m SSB. Operators included new members; Alan G4GQL, George M1GEO and regulars; John G0VEH, Marc G0TOC, Selim M0XTA and Dave M3WMV on 2m. Also in attendance at the airfield were LEFARS members; Alan M0TEC, Boo M6AOB, Brian 2E0EFX, Bryan 2E0CKR, Chris G8OCV, Cliff 2E0RCW, Dave G3ZXF, Derek M0XDC, John M0JGR, John G8DZH, John G1DJI, Ron G6LTT with Ashley, and Wayne G4YOH. Thankfully Derek took the opportunity to bring his Winnebago to the airfield, providing not only warmth and comfort away from the shack (tent), but also breakfast toast and regular cups of tea and coffee. It was also the first deployment of the new LEFARS windsock.
Some of the LEFARS AOTA attendees
The AOTA GX4ONP/P shack and windsock
Another view of the GX4ONP/P shack
HF Setup…
Icom IC-7000 with standard fist mike, approx. 100w into a LDG Z-100 auto ATU then into a 4:1 balun to 450z twin feeder, feeding a 102′ droopy doublet, approx. 12m at the centre and 8m at the ends.
LEFARS and North Weald Airfield…
In 2001, participating in International Museums Weekend (IMW) for the first time LEFARS activated GB2BHM from Blake Hall Museum (Bobbingworth, near Ongar, Essex). Activation in IMW then continued annually from Blake Hall until the museum’s closure in 2006 at which point we were fortunate to be able to relocate only a few miles down the A414 to North Weald Airfield. LEFARS have since then been QRV as GB2NWA during IMW, the Air-Britain Fly-In and also in 2011, for The Squadron’s fly-in, in support of Help for Heroes. Through Blake Hall’s and North Weald Airfield’s past connections with the RAF, LEFARS has been a member of RAFARS since 2003.
RAFARS #4455
IMW # 5016
Click here for an audio clip of G0VEH operating GX4ONP/P – Thanks to Dave M0TAZ.
QRV Again…
LEFARS return to North Weald Airfield and will be QRV as GB2NWA on 9th/10th June for the Air-Britain Fly-In and on 16th/17th June for International Museums Weekend. Details of all GB2BHM and GB2NWA activations can be found on QRZ.com.
73 Marc Litchman – G0TOC
Secretary, LEFARS
