m3jfm.net
Amateur radio website of m3jfm
Search:
Wacral Conference 2003
World Association Of Christian Radio Amateurs And Listeners
Annual Conference
at
The Hayes Conference Center Swanwick Derbyshire
Friday 26th - Sunday 28th September 2003
Members of The World Association Of Christian Radio Amateurs And Listeners met at The Hayes Conference Center, Swanwick, Derbyshire over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September for their annual conference.
Introduction:
I have been a member of WACRAL since the 29th May 1997 During 2001 I was invited by the WACRAL executive committee to research the history of WACRAL with a view of compiling it into book form or as a web site or both. Over a very short period of time the executive made available for me their very large and extensive archive. During the past couple of years in my free time I have been delving into their History. I was invited by WACRAL to give a talk at their 2002 conference. However due to ill health this had to be postponed until this year.
On My Way To The Hays:
Thus I find myself on the 09:30 train form Oxford changing at coventry then onto Alferton and from Alferton by taxi to the Hayes conference Center Swanwick accompanied by my son Peter M3PHP. The train journey went very well and we were pleasantly surprised to find on the last train we were offered complimentary cups of tea or coffee. when we arrived at Alfreton train station we were soon to find that this was one train station that the local taxi companies did not bother having a car sat waiting in a taxi rank waiting for the whosoever.
We thought it might be a good idea if we were to walk the two miles into Alferton in the hope of locating a taxi to take us to Swanwick. we were soon to find that the two mile walk was going to be nearly all up hill but thank goodness for small mercies at the top of the long drawn out hill was a park bench. As we sat and rested Peter thought that he might like to try working through the local 2m repeater thus he put out a call and Steve G0JFM came back and said he had already arrived at the conference center and Dick G0UUE also gave Peter a call and said that he was just arriving at the Hayes himself with Derek G3XNX. and Lesley. Encouraged we continued our walk into Alferton. We were soon to find a taxi for hire and we were on the final leg of our journey to Swanwick the taxi fare was less than five pounds and at last we had arrived safely.
At The Hayes:
Upon arrival at the Hays we soon found The lake side conference center and one of the first things that I needed to do after booking in was to arrange for some tables. In order to set up a static display of WAMRAC/WACRAL archive material not forgetting that WACRAL is still going strong to day thus the need to add to the archive and during Harry Hogg G3NGX Special Event Amateur Radio Station at Christ Church Cathedral Oxford GB2CCC. I had documented this event with digital photographs. I also put on display a copy of my book "A History of WAMRAC/WACRAL running from the founding to the change of name form WAMRAC to WACRAL". I also put on display a bound copy of my conference power point talk and presentation.
Having set the Conference history display stand up it was time for a short visit to the WACRAL Special Event Amateur Radio Station GX3NJB. We found the station manager Nick G4FI operating on 40m SSB. For no real reason we did not hang about very long and we collected from my room my 2m VX 150 handheld and sota 3 element beam and fishing pole a short walk from the lake side their is a hill that is 150 meters at its peak above sea level but we set up inside the Hays conference center estate land at about 125 meters above sea level behind us was Hill Top Mink Farm and to the SSW was Grange Farm.
Peter M3PHP/P working through the 2m repeater GB3IN
Peter and I set up the Sota beam. Peter was soon putting a call out via GB3IN the local repeater that is also gateway linked Peters first contact was with the repeater keeper G4TSN/M The Repeater keeper was very friendly and encouraged Peter during the qso to activate the repeater as often as he could during his free time at the WACRAL conference.
| GB3IN Repeater is located at Huthwaite Nottinghamshire (IO93IC) |
| 145.6375 output / 145.0375 input |
| 71.9 CTCSS or 1750Hz tone burst access |
| It is also linked to other stations and repeaters worldwide using Echolink software (VOIP) Voice over internet protocol |
| Technical Information GB3IN Repeater |
Transmitter Tait 300 series T355 |
| Receiver Tait 300 series T356 |
| PSU Tait 300 series T296 |
| Duplexer Sinclair 5 x 10 inch Cavities BpBr Configuration 3 Tx leg 2 Rx leg |
| Feeder Andrew LDF 4-50 Heliax |
| Aerial Diamond X510N |
| Logic G1SLE design based on 80C31 Microcontroller with external eprom |
| Computer Compaq Prosignia 200 P200 96 MB Ram Windows XP professional |
| Interface WB2REM Board |
Dick G0UUE gave us a call and Dick was soon to join us on the hill. Dick was very interested in our portable 2m set up and I explained to Dick that the set up we were using was typical of the kind of gear a person might be using on the Summits on the air program. I had purchased the antenna from the sota stand at the last Donnington Amateur Radio Rally for under 40. It was very windy while we were operating portable and I could often hear the distinctive sound of steam trains in the not to distant\'s although I did try to locate exactly were the trains were I could not see them but I did notice a train signaling box that I thought marked Swanick junction we were later to explore this close up but that had to wait until saturday afternoon.
The WACRAL Conference programmed was as Follows
| Time | Friday 26th September 2003 |
| 1400 | Executive Committee meeting in the Amber Lounge (2nd floor) |
| 1600 | Arrival of WACRAL members |
| 1800 | Opening of the Conference weekend Welcome to all by The conference organiser Geoff G4YJW |
| 1810 | Commitment of the Weekend to the Lord Victor G3JNB and Audrey Hymn no 559 To God be the Glory Celebration and Prayer Hymn No 394 omit verses 3 and 4 O for a thousand Tongues - Tune Lyngham |
| 1845 | Dinner |
| 2000 | Minimalist Radio by WACRAL member Revd George Dobbs G3RJV |
| 2100 | Refreshments |
| 2130 | Evening Prayers Revd George Dobbs G3RJV Hymn Saviour again to thy dear name we raise - Tune Ellers |
| 2200 | Choir Practice Choir leader or Operate The WACRAL Special Event Amateur Radio Station with Nick G4FI or Start the WACRAL conference construction contest this year to build a Howes receiver Under the guidance of michael G3LRQ |
The main body of conference delegates arrived around 1600 hours and were greated by Jan G7ULN and Pauline at the WACRAL reception desk The ladies checked our conference details and issued room key\'s and gave directions their lot was a very busy one.
Pauline And Jan G7ULN
The Conference weekend started at 1800 and we were welcomed by The conference organiser Geoff G4YJW who read Greetings from other WACRAL members
Geoff G4YJW Opening The WACRAL Conference 2003
I would like to offer my prayer for an enlightened and highly successful conference. I also pray you continue to enjoy the abundant fellowship and unity of the organisation and it is our hope to be able to attend a conference some time as well
de K3PCS
All VK members down-under hope you have a very successful 2003 WACRAL conference in Swanwick.
Please send our christian greetings to conference we hope that you will have a blessed time of fellowship
God bless Klemans and Betty.
Ten minutes later at 1810 We had the commitment of the weekend to the Lord by Victor G3JNB and Audrey we sang Hymn no 559 To God be the Glory. Celebration and Prayer Hymn No 394 omit verses 3 and 4 O for a thousand Tongues - Tune Lyngham
Then we went over to the main Hayes Conference building for dinner which was booked for 1845. This was not my first visit to The Hays conference center the first time was some years ago way back in early 1978. It was while I was at a conference at The Hayes that I was offered a place at Bible college. With a church in Scotland as my sponsor. This was a answer to my prayers.
Since my last visit to "The Hayes" I could not help wondering were all the new buildings had come from. Because on my first visit their was the Main House and a wooden building in the grounds. About mid afternoon I had gone into the main Hayes House and I had meet the office staff the estate manager who showed me some old estate maps of the area. and photographs. With His help I was able to see the Hayes once again as it was on my first visit.
However in the main house itself I did find some things had changed in the main room with the bar and television set. This room was the dinning room with no bar or tv. The shop was in the same place. back then it sold newspapers and post cards plus sweats more like as Newsagents. Today it was that plus a small christian book shop much better. The room that was like a green house and used as an extension of the bar in the evening\'s. Was the very area used as a christian book shop and the place to go after our church services and conference meeting. If you wanted to sharpen up your sward and get involved in some very interesting theological discussions.
WACRAL conference delegates meet up again at 2000 for Revd George Dobbs G3RJV talk Minimalist Radio. Up until this time the only contact I had we George was via the amateur radio press I was fimiliar with his style of writing and his thoughts behind low Power Amateur Radio Communcation often doing more with less. But I had never had the opertunity to meet him and the wacral conference was the window of opertunity for me George had on sale a small book before I brought a copy I asked him would he mind signing it for me. When I relate this story to members of my own local Amateur Radio club the Oxford & DARS folk look to see if I have the book with me. George is well known for his sayings but it was the first time I had heard him say
"Spending money we haven\'t earned,
to buy things we don\'t need
to impress people we don\'t like"
( said Will Rogers)
Georges Talk was very intresting I felt that he was encouraging the amateur radio community assembled at the WACRAL conference to rethink our philosophy towards our hobby and to see if it would with stand the test of "pelf"
Revd George Dobbs G3RJV and Geoff G4YJW
After listening to Georges talk we went over to the main Hays building for a coffeee break During our stay all meals and refreshment breaks.Were taken over in the main Hayes Building. And this was a great oppertunity to enjoy the company and fellowship with WACRAL members.
2130 Evening Prayers Lead by Revd George Dobbs G3RJV Hymn Saviour again to thy dear name we raise - Tune Ellers. The Revd George Dobbs spoke about the evening office of Compline and drew our thoughts to A loving God and Saviour.
After evening prayer we were free to spend the evening relaxing in our own way or if we wanted we were invited to take party in one of the conference activites singing in the Choir, Taking part in te construction contest or vsiting the WACRAL special event Amateur Radio station. Peter M3PHP and myself chose to visit the special event amateur radio station were we found Nick the station mamager in qso on 80m. we sat and listend to the qso and after a while BOB MW0RHD made acouple of QSO\'s then Peter followed by myself One of the people I spoke to was GM0FTX Who is WACRAL Member Irene with lives in Perth. I had a very enjoyable evening. And it was well after midnight when we went to bed.
Nick G4FI WACRAL Special Event Amateur Radio Station Manager GX3NJB
| Time | Saturday Morning 27th September 2003 |
| 0800 | Morning Prayers |
| 0830 | Breakfast |
| 0930 | Photo call by the lake |
| 0945 | WACRAL Annual General Meeting |
| 1045 | Morning Coffee |
| 1115 | Presidents Forum |
| 1245 | Lunch |
| Time | Saturday Afternoon 27th September 2003 |
| 1545 | Afternoon |
| 1700 | The Silly Price Surplus Sale |
| 1845 | Dinner |
| 2000 | Managing Operational Risk By Paul G0HMD |
| 2100 | Refreshments |
| 2130 | Evening Prayer Revd Phly Fanning G6UFI and Paul G0HMD Hymn No 526 The Lord\'s My Shepherd Tune St Columba |
OUR FIRST FULL DAY AT WACRAL CONFERENCE
SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2003
The Conference day statred at 0800 with Morning prayers lead by Michael G3LRQ and His wife Margie and we sang hymn no 1 The Lord Of the sea and sky.
Followed by breakfast at 08:30 The photo call was booked for 0930 It was just before the photo call that Harold G4YRH arrived as a day visitor this was the first time that I had met Harold we had spoken on the telephone and many times during the WACRAL Good News nets and the mental picture I had built up of him was spot on. The Photo call took place beside the lake with us the group facing into the bright morning sunshine.
After the photocall by the lake we all went inside for the WACRAL Annual General Meeting the AGM was well attended by WACRAL members and the Business affairs of WACRAL was very intresting and encouraging. Each WACRAL executive member was invited to stand up and read their reports. It was during the AGM that Ted Moreman G2BTZ said that he thought that Paul M3JFM would make a good publicity officer minutes later I was Elected as WACRAL Publicity Officer we stopped at 1045 for morning coffee Then meet up again by 1115 for the Presidents Forum The WACRAL President Rev Phyl G7UFI spoke about the future WACRAL future plans. And the meeting drew to close for Lunch at 1245.
On saturday afternoon their was some free time from after lunch to the silly price surplus sale. During which time we were free to explore the local vistor attractions Geoff G4YJW had told me about the Midland Railway society and before leaving home I had done a little home work I brought a copy of the Ordinance survey Explorer 269 Map for Chesterfield and Alfreton. Sutton in Ashfield and Bolsover. Peter and I made our way along the main Hayes conference center drive and were soon to meet Steve G0JFM who said that he was walking to the nearest Midland railway center train station. As we were heading to the same place we continued our walk in the company of Steve. As we walked south along the B61769 we could hear the familiar sounds that accompany a steam train preservation society drifting on the breeze. As we got closer we could see the Butterley train station with some rolling stock near by. As we arrived at the Butterley Train Station we were joined by Geoff G3YJW and Jan G7ULN Howard M0CIW and Clarisse. Athur G8HTN, Phili[ M0BSJ and Anne.
Geoff G4YJW Philip M0BSJ Steve G0JFM and Peter M3PHP
A small group of WACRAL members took the train journey from Butterly train station west to Swanwick train station. The train pulled out of Butterley train station and headed west out of the station and crossed the viaduct and Ripley train station and the train engine was discontected and put on what had been the back of our train and we were soon on our way again crossing the viaduct and through Butterley station and onto Swanwick junction. and moments later we were arriving at Swanwick train station.
Swanwick Junction Engine shed yard steam up
Steve G0JFM asked one of the train station guards for the best directions back to the Hays conference center and we were told to follow the path leading from the train station platform and walk up to the swanwick train station juction then onto the engine sheds and take the path to our right crossing the railyway tracks in front of the good\'s yard turn left and follow the foot path up the hill. This our party of five Steve, Peter Paul, Philip and Anne did stopping on the way for a photo shoot.
Ripley International Airfield
as we crossed the fields leading to Ripley International Airfield we stayed close to the edge of the farmers ploughed field we joined the foot path to the hayes as we crossed over the field walking up the hill following a low fence on our right hand side crossing into the last field with out knowing it at the time. We were walking through the site of the Hayes second World War prisoner of war camp. Our small party paused to reflect on the remains of the building out lines in the field near were we stood. Our party was in reflective mood walked over to inspect some foundations in the field that looked as if it might have been a tower of some kind. And for a few moments we tried to contemplate the secret history that lay beneath our feet and in the stones laying in the field. little relishing that we were standing in a former POW camp. leaving the former POW site behind our party continued across the field to the farm gate that marked our safe return to the Hayes Conference Center. We followed the path beside the lake taking time to watch the ducks before walking up to the Dinning room for afternoon tea.
We walked back to the Lake side building that we were using for conference and joined the rest of the WACRAL group in time for the WACRAL silly price auction, Presided over by Haryy G3SBV
Harry G3SBV
I successfully bid for the High Mound manipulator morse key from Steve G0JFM shack and for two items that Howard M0CIW brought along from a silent key sale. I came home with a cambridge antenna noise bridge and a kit Grid dip oscillator that had been partly made. I spent less than ?30 pounds at the auction.
During the Weekend all meals were provided with family service-food is placed on the dining tables for delegates to serve themselves. after each course and at the end of themeal delegates should cleir their table of all dirty crockery and cutlery.
After dinner Paul Overton G0MHD WACRAL data-comm\'s coordinator gave a talk and presentation on Managing Operational Risk. The presentation that Paul gave was very similar to the talk he gives to future customers Paul\'s talk in a nut shell "if you can think it might happen then at some time in the near future it will. whether your company survives will depend on what you plan today" after Paul\'s G0MHD talk He invited members of WACRAL to a short question and answer session.
Paul G0MHD receiving his thankyou certificate from Geoff G4YJW
We stopped for half an hour for refreshments returning to Lake side for Evening prayers that was lead by Paul G0MHD and Phly G6UFI We sang Hymn N0 526 The Lord My Shepherd.
After evening prayers we were free to spend the rest of the evening as we wish Those folk who were taking part in the constuction contest continue to complete their howes receiver. and the Choir spent met up for a rehearsal. And some went to operate the special event amateur radio station.
Peter M3PHP and Paul G0HMD thought that it might be a wise idea to try my power point presentation on Paul\'s laptop we were soon to discover that the lap top did not have a CD ROM drive each room however had a telephone line. So I arranged for the telephone line to be activited and we were soon on line via moble telephone Peter explained to my wife Allison how to copy my WACRAL talk and send it as an email. Then Peter M3PHP and Paul G0MHD converted the text back into my power point talk. I left Peter and Paul to set up my talk and I returned to my room where I spent from midnight to three in the morning revising my talk so that in the morning I had no need to rely on talking from notes.
My first full day at the WACRAL 2003 conference had been a very happy one. I had renewed my friendship with members of WACRAL that I had met before. And made New friends with members of WACRAL that I had never met before in person.Befroe leaving home I was worried that the WACRAL conference would be a heavy Bible bash event. I need not have worried as the WACRAL conference is not like that at all. Peter M3PHP seemed to be enjoying himself and never said that he was bored. For a 17 year old he was meeting new people and making new friends with a good age mix from the WACRAL conference community.
OUR THIRD DAY AT WACRAL CONFERENCE
Sunday 28th September 2003
On Sunday Morning We gathered in the Special event amateur radio room for The National WACRAL 80M Good News Net. I arrived before 0745 and Already thier was a group of eairly bird members gathered in the shack. Nick asked me would I write the QSL cards for the QSO\'s that I had made on the friday evening. I wrote half a dozen or so and handed them back in to Nick G4FI. In time the number of WACRAL members started to grow and I remember Talking to the following in the Shack Derek G3XNX, Bob MW0RHD, Dawn MW3CYQ, Rev Phyl G7UFO, Peter G0PPQ and Shirley CSWL 1199-G, Alister M3BIB, Howard M0CIW, and Clarisse, Victor G3JNB, John G3TWS, Alan G3WQL. Paul G0MHD. And I am sure many more but I have forgotton. Members of WACRAL were invited by Geoff G0YJW to come up to the micro phone and send a greetings message. Thus in the fullness of time it was my turn to up on the microphone.
Paul M3JFM, John G3TWS, John G0LMH
Bob M3BIB, John G3TWS, G8TWS Margaret, Dick G0UUE, Bob MW0RHD
Rev Phyl Fanning G6UFI
The special Event Amateur Radio station closed down in plenty of time for us all to walk over for breakfast. Through out the conference all the meals were excellent good in regards to quantity and quality. Breakfast their was a choice cereals, porridge, or fresh grape fruit. and fresh orange juice. Followed by bacon and eggs. toast and tea of coffee. Just the ideal fare for a active day.
After breakfast I went back to the lake side conferece center and I tied up the WACRAL static diplay table and removed the two books that I had put on display and I put them on the lecture table ready for my talk. Mean while Peter M3PHP and Paul G0MHD prepared the lap top and projector. While they were doing this I went for a walk be side the lake. As I wanted to clear my head and gather my thoughts together I watched the ducks swimming on the lake and I observed the intresting patterns that the wind was making on the surface of the lake. During this time I had a quite time with The Lord I asked for wisdom and for him to help me to present the talk in a very intresting and moving way. History has a habit of being some what boring and I was concerned that having spent so much time study the history of WAMRAC/WACRAL that it will all come to nothing. Before I left the lake side I felt that my prayers had been answered and I joined the rest of the conference delegates.
At 0945 Geoff G4YJW invited me to give the talk and presentation on WAMRAC/WACRAL Uncovered assisted by my son Peter M3PHP. We both walked up to the front and I asked Peter to start running the power point presentation. As Peter Did so I asked why study history or even record the past events of WAMRAC/WACRAL the reason for this was beciuse we have an intresting past, a good present, and active future. And What we have done yesterday is our history today. In twenty years time a member of WACRAL might wonder what it was like at the WACRAL 2003 conference who was there. What did they get up too. What did they talk about at conference. with this in mind I would like to talk this morning on the History of WAMRAC/WACRAL. If you thought that my talk is going to follow our history in a chronological order then you will be very disappointed That all ready in book form But my conference presentation will be following the founders of WAMRAC/WACRAL Walking in their foot steps. we started the presentation with the credits first Why this is a little odd I belive its very important to thank all the people who have helped with me in some way regarding the History of WAMRAC And WACRAL.
I invited Arthur G8HTN to come forward and to sit at the front with Peter and myself. the reason for this was that Arthur has been associated with WAMRAC from the very early days and later to become a committee member of WAMRAC Arthur has devoted much of his free time to collecting the WAMRAC/WACRAL archive At one stage Arthur had hoped to write the History himself but found the task to great to complete just using a manual type writer. He would have had a much better chance if he had waited until the home computer came along even then it would not be easy.
A wise man understands when he is unable to complete the task himself. Over the couple of years that I have been studying WAMRAC/WACRAL Arthur has been busy working in the back ground searching through the archive and helping me hunt down the next gem of our history. Many letters, emails and telephone calls have been exchanged. Meeting Arthur for the first time at conference helped me to understand why nearly a year ago Arthur said that he was concerned that the history was recorded as Accurately as possible. Arthur and myself were able to spend some time together during friday and again on Saturday talking about the history of WAMRAC/WACRAL. It was a great pleasure meeting Arthur G8HTN and I value his friendship and help very much indeed.
After we had completed the presentation Arthur G8HTN said to me that he could not have done better himself. He said my talk was very interesting and moving.
Dawn MW3CYQ said "that the talk was emotionally moving and it was weird how I seemed to bring the past alive.
Bob MW0RHD said "the talk was very moving I had to hold back the tears at one point I had never thought of us (WACRAL) before as a part of our wider christian family.
Bob was not the only person who said that they also had to hold back the tears
Derek G3XNX said many folk have come up to me and said how much they had enjoyed your talk they had not realized before how many people had been involved.
Victor G0JNB said that the power point presentation was very professional. and was used to help bring out thoughts and ideas which you would not normally notice reading it just in book form.
Peter, M3PHP
Paul, M3JFM
After The Talk we were thanked by Geoff G4YJW for an intresting talk and presentation and both Peter M3PHP and Myself were presented with certificates of thanks.
After our Talk and presentation it was time for moring coffee foloowed by the 1115 Sunday Morning church Service Rev Phyl Fanning G6UFI and the Conference Choir.
The Conference Choir
The Church Service was very good Rev Phly during his sermon spoke about reason events as an army chaplin and his flying lessons. when your confidence receives a knock it can be some time before your self confidence builds back up again. The conference delegates also took holy communion. I found the service very moving and I enjoyed listening to the conference choir who sang under the leadership of Audrey.
After the Church service was the Presentation of awards and Certificates by Geoff G4YJW at the present time I am unable to say why some WACRAL members received a certificate however when I have found out I shall up date this web page ASAP
The construction contest ran under the guidance of Michael G3LRQ. The construction contest results were announced for the best constructed Howe\'s 80m receiver this award went to Richard Paul G7KMZ. Alistair McGoff M3BIB was awarded the Certificate with merit for his very first attempt at construction.
The following is the list of WACRAL Conference delgates as recorded in the conference brochure.
| Call sign | Attendance at the 2003 WACRAL conference |
| G0UUE | Dick Allinson |
| G3SBV | Harry Bellfield |
| Eileen Bellfield | |
| G3JNB | Victor Brand |
| Audrey Brand | |
| G3XNX | Derek Chivers |
| Lesley Chivers | |
| G3WQL | Alan conway |
| G3TWS | John Corbett |
| G8TWS | Margaret Corbett |
| M0CIW | Howard Delafield |
| Clarisse Delafield | |
| G3RJV | George Dobbs |
| G6UFI | Phly Fanning |
| M3JFM | Paul Goodhall |
| M3PHP | Peter Goodhall |
| G4YJW | Geoff Grundy |
| G7ULN | Jan Grundy |
| M0PAR | Roy Holland |
| Pauline Holland | |
| G4KME | Roy Horley |
| MW0RHD | BoB Hughes-Burton |
| MW3CYQ | Dawn Hughes-Burton |
| G3LRQ | Michael Humphries |
| Margie Harris | |
| G0LMH | John Hunter |
| Rosemary Hunter | |
| G8HTN | Arthur Kettley |
| G0PPQ | Peter Jackson |
| CSWL 1199-G | Shirley Jackson |
| Claire Jackson | |
| M3BIB | Alister McGoff |
| G0SOG | Fred Mellings |
| G7KYW | Cathrine Mellings |
| G2BTZ | Ted Moreman |
| G0JFM | Steve Nicholls |
| G0MHD | Paul Overton |
| G7KMZ | Richard Paul |
| CSWL 1571-G | Jenny Peterson |
| M0BSJ | Philip Poore |
| Anne Poore | |
| G7IDJ | Michael Schonbom |
| G4FI | Nick Seath |
| Pauline Seath | |
| G3EGV | Ron stanforth |
| G4YRH | Harold Turner |
| MW3HUW | Bob Tyson |
| Charmian Tyson |
The conference was due to finish after Sunday lunch sadly for Peter M3PHP and Myself ( Paul M3JFM ) We had to say our far wells and leave at lunch time in order to start the journey back to Oxford by the train We both had a very enjoyable time at conference and we hope to be at the WACRAL 2004 conference at "Slavanka" Southbourne, Dorset and also at the Walford mini conference during April 2004 Lord Willing.
The following is a copy of my first WACRAL Press Release
Members of The World Association Of Christian Radio Amateurs And Listeners met at The Hayes Conference Center, Swanwick, Derbyshire over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September for their annual conference.
The conference was opened by its organizer Geoff Grundy G4YJW. The Friday evening lecture given by WACRAL member Revd. George Dobbs G3RJV, the founder of the G-QRP club who gave an informative talk on "Minimalist Radio". Revd. George Dobbs was later to lead us in evening prayers.
The WACRAL Annual General Meeting took place after breakfast on the Saturday morning and proved to be very lively and informative. Victor Brand G3JNB after many years service to WACRAL stepped down as Publicity Officer in 2002 and members present elected Paul J. Goodhall M3JFM as Publicity Officer.
After lunch members were free to explore some of the tourist attractions in the area. Late afternoon Harry Bellfield G3SBV presided over the ever famous WACRAL silly price auction, after dinner Paul Overton G0MHD WACRAL data-comm\'s coordinator gave a talk and presentation on Managing Operational Risk.
Sunday morning after breakfast Paul Goodhall M3JFM assisted by his son Peter M3PHP gave a talk and presentation on The history of WAMRAC/WACRAL. The Sunday morning Church service was lead by WACRAL President Revd. Phyl Fanning G6UFI, and after the Church service the conference construction contest results were announced for the best constructed Howe\'s 80m receiver this award went to Richard Paul G7KMZ. Alistair McGoff M3BIB was awarded the Certificate with merit for his very first attempt at construction.
The conference closed after lunch on Sunday.
Wrote M3JFM WACRAL press officer