As is customary, at the start of each year, we produce a short video summarising the previous year’s activities, and highlighting the work of our members and supporters. We’ve just released our look back at 2018…
| Essex Ham’s Review of 2018 |
Here’s the transcript…
2018 was another busy year for Essex Ham. Here’s a quick look at what we got up to.
We started with a Galleywood Gathering in the first week of January. This was the first of an impressive 21 field events at Galleywood throughout the year.
As well as impromptu events, we were at Galleywood for St George’s Day and the June Summer Solstice, both organised by Charlie M0PZT.
We also had a Galleywood Wander, to tie up with 2MT historian Tim Wander visiting Galleywood.
In January, Ed, Andy and Pete attended the Southend Professionals meeting to talk about amateur radio, space and SDRs.
We were back at Southend in March for the Southend Raspberry Jam. Both events helped to promote the hobby to the tech-minded.
In March, we had a stand at the Tilbury Technology Tournament, demonstrating ham radio to local schools. And in May, we were at the West Essex Guides County Camp, for some STEM activities and on-air contacts.
In September, we were back to Earl’s Colne Airfield in support of the Essex Air Ambulance. On one of the three days, we were joined by Paul Devlin from the NHS, and operated as GB1NHS for the day, to help raise awareness for the Air Ambulance service. We’ve also been working closely with GB1NHS and hospital radio stations in the UK throughout the year to help promote amateur radio to a wider audience, with plans to do more next year.
In October, the team was once again invited to take part in a very large and busy JOTA activation at the Belchamps Scout Activity Centre, with around 200 cubs & scouts in attendance over the two days.
Essex Ham was also at various ham events, supporting other clubs in the region. We had a table at the SEARS Canvey Rally, at a Suffolk RED event, and at both Progression Nights of the recently-formed Langdon Hills Amateur Radio Club. We also supported the Thurrock Acorn 2m Activity Days with field days at a chilly Shoebury East Beach, and we made contact with TARG during their Military Fixed Monuments event.
The Monday Night Net continues to be a big focus, with over 135 unique callsigns joining us in 2018, a 12% increase on the previous year. Our thanks to Dorothy M0LMR for running the monthly YL Net and to Rachel G6AMY for taking turns in the chair on a Monday, and for running our Christmas and New Years Eve Nets.
Our free Foundation Online course continues to be a big hit, with over 550 people enrolling nationally during the year – a significant increase on 2017. In recognition of our groups’ contribution to training, we were awarded the Kenwood Cup at the RSGB AGM in 2018.
For the first time, the group was also honoured to receive not only the Region 12 Club of the Year Award, but also to be presented with the RSGB National Large Club of the Year Award at Hamfest – recognising the support and the hard work that our members have put in over the year.
We’d like to thank everyone who supported us during 2018 – whether taking part at an event, joining us on the air or being active on our site.
Here’s hoping for a busy 2019 of amateur radio!
