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Writer's pictureMr Telegraph

GB0VK, First Telegram From This Station To Australia


THIS STATION WILL BE OPERATIONAL ON OR AROUND SEPTEMBER 21st 2019 (101 yrs)

On 22nd September 1918 direct wireless messages from Wales were received in Australia, creating considerable public interest and causing a political controversy. The messages were transmitted from the big Marconi station at Caernarfon in Wales and were received at the home of Ernest Fisk, the Managing Director of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited (A.W.A.). Two communications were sent, one from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. W.M. "Billy" Hughes, who was in England trying to raise enthusiasm for the Australian war effort in Europe because public support was waning and the disastrous English military leadership of the Australian forces was under serious question. The second message was from the Minister for the Navy, Mr. Joseph Cook, who accompanied Hughes. Australia's efforts to sell its farm produce to England were being frustrated by the English farmers and unions, which explains the jingoistic tone of Hughes and Cook's wireless messages. As it happened, Germany capitulated soon after this event and both men then took part in the Peace Conference and negotiations in November 1918.


The two messages were as follows:

1          1.15pm Sydney time.             "I have just returned from a visit to the battlefields where the glorious valour and dash of the Australian troops saved Amiens and forced back the legions of the enemy, filled with greater admiration than ever for these glorious men and more convinced than ever that it is the duty of their fellow-citizens to keep these magnificent battalions up to their full strength. W.M. Hughes, Prime Minister."


2          1.25pm Sydney time.             "Royal Australian Navy is magnificently bearing its part in the great struggle. Spirit of sailors and soldiers alike is beyond praise. Recent hard fighting brilliantly successful but makes reinforcements imperative. Australia hardly realises the wonderful reputation which our men have won. Every effort being constantly made here to dispose of Australia's surplus products. Joseph Cook, Minister for Navy."



About the Marconi stations here in North Wales -:

GB0VK is the callsign used by the Dragon Amateur Radio Club each year to celebrate this anniversary. We operate from the site of the old Long Wave Transmitting Station at Waunfawr on the hillside above Caernarfon in north west Wales. The station here at Waunfawr Caernarfon was originally built to send commercial traffic to New Brunswick in the USA and was completed in March 1914. However, the Great War intervened and postponed its commercial use until 1920.


A receiving station was built in Tywyn 60 miles to the south to receive the traffic from New Brunswick. This was however made redundant in 1923 because of the rapid improvement in technology.


From 1914 the station was in continuous use and Marconi carried out many experiments here, also developing the latest technology e.g., the various types of spark transmitters.


The aerial was supported on ten masts 400 feet high. These were arranged behind the station, extending 3600 feet up the mountainside of Cefn Du. This was extended by 900 feet in 1920 and there was a further extension in 1923. In 1924 the aerial was split in two and a new feeder to the upper half allowed the use of two transmitters. At this time the frequencies used were between 21 kHz and 66 kHz.

Electricity for the station was generated at the hydroelectric power station east of Snowdon, below Cwm Dyli, Llyn Llydaw and brought through Llanberis to Waunfawr.

The first Radio Telegram from the United Kingdom to Australia was sent from this station to Wahroonga, New South Wales on 22nd September 1918.


The station was finally closed in 1938 after severe icing caused considerable damage to the heavy guy wires which held the masts.


othing much remains of the antennas except for a few of the bases which are still visible. The buildings however are still standing and is currently privately owned with the owners living in the old power house adjacent to the original building. The current owners seem happy for our club to invade their private space to put on special event stations each year, for which we are thankful.

Location 3.6 miles (5.75km) East of Caernarfon

W.A.B :- SH56

IARU Location IO73VC

N.G.R (National grid reference) SH53318 60738  Elevation 821 feet (250m) above sea level (to car park)

About Marconi:

Born in Bolognia 25 April 1874

Died in Rome 20 July 1937

About GB0VK station:

QSL is via the buro under the club call of GW4TTA or GB0VK

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