GB0MAF operated on June 19th from Croft farm Defford for the Defford Charity Air Day as a CARA supported Special Event Station.

Comprising an HF station with TS570 and R7 and a 2m staion with IC 271E and colinear, contacts were made to European stations on 40m with excursions to other bands as individual operators felt fit. The R7 and Colinear were chosen as they have zero safety foot print because space was at a premium. A development for next year will be the addition of an 80m dipole. Initially the 40m station had a minor issue with the PA system but there after, the two functioned in parallel without problems.
The weekend also saw Museums on the Air stations active and several of these were worked .

Operators were not regimented as the Air Day is supposed to be fun and this left individuals free to get involved in events outside the operating caravan, however 24 contacts were made on four bands. All the operators are to be congratulated for their efforts and next year we will improve the station in light of accumulated experience.

The event was a success with 44 visiting aircraft and an unknown number of members of the public but the day raised over £5000.00 which was very satisfactory.

Thanks for the support given and I hope I may encourage the same operators and some new ones to next year's event.

Giles, G0NXA
CARA Deputy Chairman