« Back to 2002 News Archive

British Science Week

REPHAD SCHOOL PUPILS were calling all stations last week, during a unique project as part of British Science Week.

A mobile radio station run by the Radio Society of Great Britain rolled into the grounds of Stranraer Academy, having travelled up from London for the event.

And a specially-equipped trailer has been all over the world transmitting and receiving signals via its high and very high frequency radio gear.

Local enthusiasts from Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club (WARC) were on hand to give the pupils an expert demonstration of all the equipment contained in the van.

The youngsters gained a unique insight into the scientific hobby of amateur radio as well as swopping greetings with a variety of people they made contact with over the airwaves.

They even learned some of the shorthand which radio buffs use over the air, such as 7-3 for "kind regards" and 8-8 for "love and kisses".

Various schools took part in the day-long exhibition last week and Rephad pupils Daniel Docherty and Leona Murray were among those who attended.

Daniel said

"It was quite exciting. We could not hear anything at the start but then we made contact and spoke to people in Milton Keynes".