Calling Radio Greenham: Newbury radio enthusiasts granted unique callsign for D-Day commemorations
Amateur radio enthusiasts found a unique way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Greenham Control Tower.
Members of the Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) were issued a special callsign by Ofcom for the month of June in honour of the role Greenham Common played in the invasion of mainland Europe on June 6, 1944.
Using the callsign, GB80DDAY, the short-wave station, which moved into the control tower three years ago, made contact with more than 500 other stations around Europe – and some as far away as Australia.
Former NADARS chairman Jeremy Willis said: “It was an honour to take part in the commemorative day.
“Communications were pretty basic in 1944 compared with the present day, but it is still a challenge.”
Working live on D-Day, members reached out to other commemorative stations in London, along the South Coast and the beaches of Normandy, where official international commemorations were being held.
“We made contact using voice and Morse Code during the day,” added Mr Willis, who is also an ambassador at the control tower.
“Believe it or not, we still use Morse Code, because it gets through when nothing else ever does.
“It’s much more scientific than just flicking on the radio and talking to somebody.”
The callsign has been used remotely by members and at the NADARS radio rally at Newbury Showground on Sunday, June 23.
Amateur radio, also known as ‘ham radio’, allows enthusiasts to communicate with other amateurs around the world.
And Mr Willis, a keen radio ‘ham’ since he was 16, says he has made connections all over the world.
“It’s an old-fashioned hobby, but still very current, technically,” he said.
NADARS also holds a permanent special event callsign at the control tower, GB4GCT, which is open to the public to see in action on Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
“There are very few stations in the country which are allocated a permanent, special call, so we’re very lucky to have it,” added Mr Willis.
“It allows us to publicise the fact that we’re always here.”
NADARS meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Acland Hall in Cold Ash.
The D-Day 80 Exhibition runs at the control tower until August 26 from Wednesday to Friday between 10.30am and 3pm and at weekends from 10am until 4pm.