Bracknell Amateur Radio Club Enjoys Fascinating Visit to Bletchley Park
Given its pivotal role in radio history, a visit to Bletchley Park has long been a highly requested event among our members. We were thrilled when Paul, 2E0PNL, kindly stepped up to organize a fantastic club outing for us.
Bletchley Park is conveniently located just an hour and twenty minutes from Bracknell, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. On the day of our visit, a group of eleven members arrived bright and early, just before the site opened to the public. Thanks to our RSGB membership, we enjoyed the benefit of pre-booked tickets and gained free entry to the entire site and its many fascinating exhibitions.
A Warm Welcome at the RSGB National Radio Centre
Naturally, our first stop was the RSGB National Radio Centre (NRC), home to the renowned GB3RS station. We were fortunate with our timing, as our visit coincided with Father’s Day weekend. The NRC team was busy preparing for a special beacon-finding event scheduled for the following day, so we were treated to an exclusive preview and demonstration of the beacon locators. It was a real pleasure to meet the dedicated team who run this excellent facility, and we even had a great chat with Steve, M1ACB, the RSGB General Manager, discussing various aspects of amateur radio and club activities.
Exploring the Historic Grounds
After spending a rewarding hour or so at the NRC, we joined a comprehensive guided tour of the park. This took us through the impressive Manor House and many of the iconic Huts where the crucial World War II operations and research took place. These buildings truly bring history to life, offering an insight to the incredible work that was done there.
After a well-deserved lunch break and a chance to rest our legs, we continued our exploration, visiting more of the Huts and exhibitions. The sheer volume of history and innovation on display is astounding.
On the Air from GB3RS!
To round off our day, we returned to the NRC, where several club members had the exciting opportunity to take the controls of the GB3RS station and make some contacts. It was a treat to get on the air from such a significant location!
A huge thank you once again to Paul, 2E0PNL, for both arranging and hosting our visit. It was a truly enjoyable and educational club day out for everyone involved.
We hope to arrange more visits like this in the future! What other historical sites with radio connections would you be interested in exploring as a club?
