Weymouth and Portland played a significant role in Operation Overlord. The major part of the American assault force which landed on the shores of France on D-Day 1944 was launched from Weymouth and Portland harbours and from June 6 1944 to May 7 1945 418,585 troops and 144.093 vehicles were embarked.
The South Dorset Radio Society used the Special Event callsign GB6OD (GB6 Oscar Delta) during June 2004 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day 1944. We were operating from the Nothe Fort in Weymouth from Wednesday the 2nd of June through Sunday the 6th and worked over 1000 stations during the first 5 days.
GB6OD was also used during International Museums Weekend on the 19th and 20th of June; continuing as part of the D-Day commemorations and at the same time promoting the Nothe Fort as a Museum of military history. During this period of operation over 200 more stations were worked bringing the total for the event to well over 1200. This compares favourably to the operation of GB5OD 10 years ago.
Thanks to everyone who helped with this event, it was a great success! In particular Rob, G3MYM and Bob, G7LNJ from the Yeovil club and the wonderful display of Vintage Radio equipment; Nicky, M5YLO and Tony, G0GFL from Child Oakford and the 'Enigma-E' machine; Bob, M3DPQ from Bedford, Dominic, M3DOM from Dawlish, Geoff, G4XUG and Mike, 2E0NAY, (both from Bognor Regis) and the many other members and non members who not only visited us but helped set up and dismantle the station as well as loaning equipment and operating.
Weymouth Nothe Fort Web Site Read the history of this SDRS event
0910/05 - All QSL cards received to date have now been
processed.
QSL CARDS - QSL via the Bureau or direct to G3SDS (QTHR). Please include a SAE, or if outside of the UK, one IRC, Euro or US Dollar for direct returns. If you require confirmation of a QSO via the Internet please e-mail GB6OD with a scanned image of your card in 'JPG' format. Please include the full details of the QSO in the text of the message and use 'QSL for GB6OD' as the title. Genuine QSL cards from GB6OD will include the licence holders signature; the above 'sample' does not of course! SWL cards are also welcome.
December 2004 - All QSL cards received direct have now been confirmed
and the QSL's sent. Thank you everyone who included return postage and addressed
envelopes. I was amused to receive a One Pound Note from an American station.
Unfortunately no longer legal tender in the UK it is now framed and adorns
the shack wall!
There has been a slight delay in responding to QSL cards via the bureau but
we should catch up in the next few weeks.
73 de Geoff, G0EVW/G3SDS/GB6OD
Contact
GB6OD
PICTURES OF GB6OD AND THE 2004 VETERANS PARADE
Charlie, 2E1LEC has posted some great pictures of this event and
the 2004 Veterans Parade on his web site. Click on the image below to look
at them.
Click here to see
pictures of the event.