About
About the RNARS London (HMS Belfast) Group
The RNARS have been associated with HMS Belfast since 1973 and were instrumental in restoring the Bridge Wireless Office
from where members of the London Group continue to regularly operate the permanent Special Event Station, GB2RN.
Tom GØPSE's new "A History of the RNARS Invovlement in HMS Belfast's Bridge Wireless Office" is now available to view
in PDF format by clicking here.
Operating Facilities
The GB2RN shack contains several operating positions, thereby providing the opportunity for concurrent, multiple, HF and
/ or VHF operation.
Transceivers:
The London Group have access to several transceivers including; an Icom IC-746, a Kenwood TS-870S and Yaesu
models; FT-990, FT-847 and FT-767.
Of these, the Yaesu FT-990 was presented to the group in 1994 by the President of Yaesu Japan, Mr. Jun Hasegawa and in 1997,
Mr. David Wilkins G5HY of Kenwood UK
presented
David Wilkins G5HY of Kenwood UK with members of the 1997 London
Group Committee.
the group with the TS870S.
Antennas:
HF - Strung between the port side yardarms of the two masts is a folded dipole fed by an MFJ Versa Tuner, manual
ATU. Between the starboard side yardarms of the two masts, is an Inverted "L" fed by a SGC SG-230 Smartuner, auto
ATU. As Inverted "L's" require a counterpoise, this function is aptly provided by 11,500 tons of steel (HMS Belfast),
and further enhanced by the ship floating in the salt water of the tidal River Thames.
VHF - Mounted high on the for'rd mast is a 2m/70cms colinear antenna.
Membership
At £5 per annum, membership of the London Group is open to all current members of RNARS. Associate Membership may also be granted to licensed, non-RNARS members at the discretion of the Committee. For further details, please e-mail the Membership Secretary, alternatively write to:
Tom Taylor GØPSE
RNARS London (HMS Belfast) Group Membership Secretary
19 Derwent Grove
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2NJ