SOS Radio Week

January 2011 saw MARS take on SOS week for the 3rd year running. This year we wanted to do a bit more than usual, so it was decided that we would try to make it a full week event with something happening every day. On the first Saturday we were lucky enough to be able to help RNLI collectors at a local supermarket, where we setup our portable radio station in the car park to demonstrate amateur radio, while we gathered donations in the collection boxes. On Sunday afternoon, we were invited to Snowdonia Radio Company's workshops in Blaenau Ffestiniog, to operate the club callsign from there using all SRC equipment. We made over 80 contacts during the afternoon mainly on 80m with a few via the MB7IBF internet gateway. During the week, members used the club callsign from their home QTH, first it was the turn of John MW0VTK with his wife Liz MW6LIZ and son Louis 2W0LGG to operate from Tal Y Bont, where they made many contacts both on HF and 2m. Tuesday was the turn of Pat, GW6IMS to use the club callsign GC4LZP from his home near Porthmadog, where he made many digimode contacts throughout the day. On Wednesday, Bob Smith GW0AYQ and Simon Poyser MW0GSR, went to school at Ysgol Eifion Wyn in Porthmadog, where with the help of the RNLI, they gave instruction in beach safety, and demonstrated amateur radio to the pupils and staff. Thursday brought us into Barmouth, where we were asked to help with fundraising around town, collecting donations from local shops, businesses and shoppers. Many thanks to Christian Wadsworth MW6CRS for his help in organizing the days agenda. Finally Friday was the turn of Bob Smith to operate from his home QTH, where he made many contacts on HF during the afternoon. The final weekend was as usual split between Barmouth Lifeboat Station on Saturday, and Meirionydd Yacht Club on Sunday. We started early on Saturday morning setting up the antennas at the boathouse, where we operated throughout the day mainly on 80m where we made over 100 contacts, with help from among others, Bob Bloodworth GW4VWP and his wife Jan GW4VWO who together had a 2 hour stint on the radio, working the almost unending pileup we had during the day. At 16.00 on Saturday, we took down the setup at the boathouse, and transfered to the yacht club to continue through Sunday untill 15.00, making in total, over 600 contacts during the whole week. A BIG thank you to everyone who helped out, took part, or who made a contact with us on air.

YOUR EFFORTS HAVE HEPED US RAISE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS FOR THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION,    

THANKS, AND THE VERY BEST 73s, from everyone at Meirion ARS.  

Pictures from the cheque presentation, held at Barmouth Lifeboat Station on March 10th 2011.