The weekend of the 20th & 21st April saw members of the Quantum Technology Club and Wales Digital Radio Group (WDRG) team up for the sixtieth running of the NARSA rally (Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association) in Blackpool.
Arriving at the Norbreck Castle on the Friday evening (19th) and settling in, there were reports of the Northern Lights being visible, but sadly nothing was seen on the coast by the time the sky had gotten dark enough, or was it?
On Saturday we enjoyed a visit to the Blackpool RNLI station where there are housed not one, not even two, but three inshore lifeboats – two class Ds and an Atlantic Class B. Blackpool is one of the country’s busiest stations and all three boats can often be out at the same time; either attending three separate incidents, or assisting each other around the three piers and long coastline.
Endaf Buckley, N6UTC, a WDRG member and admirer of the Quantum Technology Club, was over from California and he showed us how to find, track and work various satellites throughout the day. One contact may turn out to be a record as both stations involved were on the very (opposite) edges of the satellite’s footprint – we await confirmation of this from Amsat.
Saturday afternoon saw the two groups helping to set up the rally venue, ready for the exhibitors, and their own stands – opposite each other.
On the day of the rally itself (21st) about 750 visitors attended. Rebecca (M6BUB) produced customised mugs for visitors to the stand, which turned out to be very successful. Derek (G7LFC) and Alison (M6COV) spoke with visitors. Many were impressed by how the club embraced many different technical interests and different types of wireless communication.
We were very pleased when we learned that our friends at the WDRG won stand of the year, but disappointed that our very professional website didn’t win website of the year; seemingly because we don’t have a Twitter and Instagram account. Never mind.
The two groups will be back together again at this year’s Liverpool Makefest when the WDRG will be providing a demonstration of worldwide amateur radio communications inside the Faraday cage that is the Central Library and we will be showing off our latest project alongside some greats from the past. We look forward to seeing you there.