Norfolk radio amateurs connect globally at Caister Lifeboat

The event commemorates the 150th birthday of Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of radio, and aims to reconnect with historic Marconi sites using the inventor’s original communication techniques.

Stations worldwide will spring up at areas connected to Marconi’s work, such as Poldhu in England, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Villa Griffone in Bologna, Italy, and other local spots including Holyhead, Daventry, and The Lizard in Cornwall.

The event usually puts more than 40 countries in touch (Image: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club)

A special all-day event at Caister Lifeboat Visitor Centre will be hosted by the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club (NARC), using the callsign GB0CMS.

The event will pay homage to the village's original Marconi Wireless Station, launched in Caister in 1900.

The purpose of the station, set up in a High Street house named Pretoria Villa, was to bridge communication with North Sea ships and the Cross Sands lightship.

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The event usually puts more than 40 countries in touch, using speech, Morse code and contemporary digital data methods on the HF shortwave bands.

Once again, the event will kick off by making contact with an Australia-based radio enthusiast.

Radio amateurs reaching GB0CMS are welcome to ask for the special "QSL" card featuring a historic snapshot of the initial Caister Marconi Wireless Station.

QSL card featuring a historic snapshot of the initial Caister Marconi Wireless Station (Image: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club)

After contacting 15 or more Marconi stations, they can also claim an award.

NARC public relations officer Steve Nichols, said: “Where we can contact on the day is largely down to the Sun and its solar activity.

"Sunspots are generally good, but solar flares and coronal mass ejections can devastate radio conditions.”

They encourage public visits to learn more about amateur radio or Caister's part in radio history.