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Travelling to the islands is by sea from Penzance on the Scillonian III or by 8 or 12 seater airplane from Exeter, Newquay or Lands End. There is also a helicopter service operation from Penzance.
For information on places to stay have a look at the Come2Scilly web site at http://www.come2scilly.com.
The Isles of Scilly are located 28 miles off of the tip of Cornwall and is the most south westerly part of the British Isles. They are classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty and are unique in many ways. If you like peace and quiet with a very slow pace pace of life or your in to bird / wild life watching, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, walking or just lazing around on a deserted beach why not consider a visit.
The Isles are also the home of the worlds smallest radio broadcast station Islands FM (formally Radio Scilly) which you can also listen to on the internet.
It also boasts the smallest official foot ball league as there are only two teams on the islands.
Guiglielmo Marconi's link with the Islands
Guiglielmo Marconi's link with the Islands
On the 13 May 1897, Marconi sent the first ever wireless communication over open sea โ a message was transmitted over the Bristol Channel from Flat Holm Island to Lavernock Point near Cardiff, a distance of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi). The message read "Are you ready". Then around a year later in 1898 Marconi was on St Mary's listening in the Telegraph Tower for wireless signals transmitted from Porthcurno, in south-west Cornwall, thirty miles distant". He heard the signal which was the furthest distance any wireless signal had been heard at that time.
The Telegraph Tower was originally a defensive gun tower and coastguards look out built in 1803. It was proposed and designed by Major Daniel Lyman. It was one of 3 gun towers built on St. Mary's by Lyman. All were intended to accommodate 8-10 men and mount a 32 pounder carronade (cannon) at the top.
The tower is in private ownership and has not been used as a lookout station for many years but its a good walk to make on a warm summers day and if your a radio ham think about the old days of radio with bare wires, thermionic valves, EHT voltages, a health and safety inspectors nightmare.
My QTH when working portable DMR from Buzza Hill, St Mary's, around 70m ASL looking down upon Hugh Town. Porth Cressa beach is on the left and the town beach and harbor on the right. The radio is sitting on the top stone of an entrance grave a type of Neolithic and early Bronze Age chamber tomb of which there are many found across the islands.
From this location I can easily access my Jumbo Spot MMDVM which is roughly 500m away.
December 2016
Spent Christmas in the Isles of Scilly with the trusty FT 817. The weather was a lot warmer than it should have been for this time of year, 10 - 15 deg C. Managed to work Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia using a length of network cable cut for 20m. Thanks to all those that answered my calls and a Happy New Year to you all.
One of the planes that serve the islands the 8 seater De Havilland Otter flies from Lands End airport and is like a Mini car with wings. The larger 12 seater De Havilland Islander is used on the longer routes from Newquay and Exeter airports.
Boxing Day 2016 looking towards Porth Loo where many of the local boats are stored over winter.
St Mary's harbor from 500ft. The main town Hugh Town sits on a sand bar between the Garrison on the right and the main part of St Mary's. My station is roughly central on the bar.
News from the Islands
News from the Islands
September 2014 - Serious crime in Scilly, suspect is grilled, cat burglar suspected.
Fishy Business At St Maryโs Police Station
๐ http://www.scillytoday.com/2014/09/21/fishy-business-at-st-marys-police-station/
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