Robert began by saying that although the GPO stations at Poldhu and Caernarvon had been conducting two way communication prior to WW1 this was limited in range.  In1919 the GPO and the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company agreed to convert a redundant Imperial Wireless chain receiving station at Devizes, Wiltshire for long-range maritime use. There was a receiver and a 6-Kilowatt valve transmitter. Station ‘’GKT” was opened for service early in 1920, with a guaranteed range of 1,500 miles.

Later a new station was established at Portishead, near Bristol, and in 1927 Portishead Radio was on the air using callsign GKA. Portishead radio continued to expand and by 1965, 86 radio officers were handling over 11 million words of traffic per year, and communicating with over 1,000 ships each day.

With the compulsory implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in 1999 Morse Code was officially phased out as a compulsory communications system for the maritime world and Portishead Radio eventually closed on 30th April 2000.

Robert showed photos of all the ship he sailed on and relayed some stories about life at sea and shore time. He also explained the study and exams required to become a Radio Officer.

His first ship! They sailed from Liverpool in January 1971, the weather was so bad that he spent the first 5 or 6 days in his bunk with a bucket.  This was an old riveted ship and the bad weather caused a few rivets to pop and they started taking in water, they had to stop at the Canary Islands for repairs.

This is the liner he spent the most time on. In total it was just over 2 years. It had 300 cabin passengers and 1000 school kids in dormitories.