Marconi's Birthday was on the 25th April 1874 & the Cornish Radio Amateur Club, (CRAC) GB4IMD normally arrange International Marconi Day as the nearest Saturday to his birthday so this year it was the 21st April.

CARS as a Society operate as a "team" - the Aerial Erection Team tested the 80 Metre Aerial over the water for the SSB Aerial while Tony, G4YTG built, erected and tested a 14MHz Dipole over Dr Bowles's Office for use by the CW team.

"Friends of the Museum" organised Car Parking, Teas and provided Members to Staff many of the exhibits in the building. At 9.30am BST when the first members of the Public turned up, everthing was just getting going for formal opening at 10.00.

Sandford Mill for International Marconi Day using Special Event Station GB100MWT
Golf Bravo 100 Marconi's Wireless Telegraph.

CARS are commemorating the Birth of Marconi on 25th April, 1874 by Operating Amateur Radio from 10am to 5pm at Sandford Mill, Chelmsford.   CARS were operating Morse and SSB Radio.   Members of the public are encouraged to send greetings messages.   CARS were using GX0MWT on most HF Bands.

The general Public were invited, FREE to Park, FREE to enter and FREE to enjoy all the events laid on by Dr Bowles and his Staff.
Colin Page, G0TRM had his now famous Vintage Morse Demonstation.
Light refreshements were also be available.

The weather was very poor at 9am but goy better as the day progressed.

IMD at Sandford Mill - The Ships Wireless Rooms.
Photos by John G8DET

This year, for the first time, the TV Exhibits were shown working.

The Mechanical Morse Demonstration headed by Colin Page, G0TRM, Gordon Illes, a Friend of the Museum and Peter Meadows, M0ZBU.
Also in the photo are two young Helpers who were there for much of the day - thanks to them.

Andy and Steve who worked the CW Station on their own throughout the day.

Peter Sipple, Jim Salmon and Louise working the SSB Station.
They worked David, G3PLE in Cornwall who is also presenting the Princess of Ireland event in May.
They also worked a Cornish Station manned by one of the IMD Event Operators whose Aerials had all blow down due to terrible weather.

Another angle operating GX0MWT.

Later in the day with John Yates on the microphone and Adrian looking on.

Another new venture this year was the very popular Model Railway.
A long track was laid out and "rides" could be had.

Adrian and Colin looking at the Radio Amateur designed and built Wireless Set 17 from WWII which worked on BBC TV Band One frequencies.

The WS 19 can be seen to the right on the table by a .303 Rifle.
A Bren Gun is in the foreground - a work horse machine gun of WWII and up to the 1970s.

CARS Special Call-Sign GB100MWT allocated by Ofcom for the year was used to remind the World that all equipment used in the rescue of the 705 persons was designed and manufactured in Chelmsford.
One must not also forget the large number of Marconi trained Wireless Operators involved directly and indirectly on English, French and German ships as well as the shore stations at Cape Ray, Cape Race and New York.

Colin, G0TRM had his famous Morse tape transmission equipment in use which some of it is 100 years old.     Youngsters love typing their message and seeing it printed out - they are often given a Certificate.

Sandford Mill was open to the public FREE OF CHARGE from 10am to 5pm with lots to see and for children to play with.

The new book written by Tim Wander, G6GUX "Marconi's New Street Works, 1912 - 2012" was on sale.   A number of CARS Members and Marconi Veterans feature in it.

Tim lectured in the Barn all day to the delight of the many persons who jammed the room to listen to him.

A very good day - Thank you Dr Bowles for allowing CARS to operate from the site.

We now only QSL on request - Please send your QSL cards, preferably via the RSGB Bureau - Patrick, M0XAP is the QSL Manager.