19 Sept 2024 – Shefford Festival

A banner with SHEFFORD AND DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY was fixed to the side of a Land Rover 110 announcing our presence in the Memorial Hall.

The hall was opened at 6:15pm and equipment carried in. Dave, G4FKI, set up a two metre repeater station. Using a 20ft push up mast for 2m with a co-linear. Contacts was made with former member John G4AHM in Maulden who has recently got back on the air.  Further contacts were made via Dave G4FKI echolink 2m fm node in Ampthill to various stations in North America.
One notable visitor was Alan Waring, a member from the 1960s he now runs the community radio station Biggles fm in Potton.

The banner attracted the attention of a Polish radio ham. He came in to enquire about operating in the UK. He left suitably encouraged and with documentation to get a UK licence. Later a husband and wife came in and spent time talking with several members. They too were interested in becoming licenced.

Report by Paul G1GSN