RAFARS is fortunate to continue to be supported by No 1 Radio School at RAF Cosford. With the average tour length of the OC of the school being around 2 years, the postholder seems to change no sooner than we have got to know them. However, the society has maintained close links with the school.

Although a 'radio' school in name, focus is largely on 'cyber' and traditional VHF/UHF/HF methods of communication are not taught in any detail. However, recent world events have shown that there are advantages in person to person communications when mobile phones, the Internet and satellites are not available!

With Covid booster vaccinations now being routine, the world is more or less returning to normal. For the first time in 3 years, RAFARS members will meet in person for the Annual General Meeting and Dinner on 14 October 2022.

Restrictions on travel and gatherings continue due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. Althuogh the national vaccination programme is proceeding well, it is decided to once again to conduct the AGM as a 'virtual' meeting using the Zoom video conferencing software.

The Covid 19 Pandemic and ensuing lockdown severely restricts routine RAFARS activities. Council meetings are conducted 'virtually' as is the AGM with the annual dinner being cancelled due to restrictions on movement and gatherings. Rallies including the National Hamfest are cancelled and the RAF Cosford Airshow is first postponed and then cacelled.

April 1st 2018 marks the centenary of the formation of the RAF whilst coincidentally on this date RAFARS will be marking its 80th year; we would like to commemorate both in the strongest possible way.

The extent to which we can achieve this objective will depend very much on what out members can, or wish to do, in the way of participation with Council providing where possible the necessary backing.

The good news is that with Ofcom approval and the support of the RAF100 office we have now secured the Special Special Event Station callsign GB100RAF which we would like to be on air as much as possible, at as many events and locations as can be accommodated.

The RAFARS radio shack used by members serving in the Falkland Islands

A rather weary looking pair! Vince G4DQP on the mike and Kev G6RZL logging on SSB Field Day.

The big event, since the last QRV, has been the RAFARS DXped to the Falkland Islands. This was to support the VP8 amateurs and their commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands. The team of serving and civilian members did a sterling job. They were accompanied by Phase-2 students from No 1 RS who assisted by establishing 2 stations at Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA).

Martyn Spence G4SOH and David Horton G3RZF attended Bentley Priory with their RAFARS stand and operating the Special Event Station GB1RBP. Although RAFARS didn't mean a great deal to the general public, there was a great deal of interest in their display which included silk escape maps and a navigation chart. A couple of RAFARS and RSARS members signed in and David operated GB1RBP throughout the day and worked a few RAFARS members although radio conditions were generally poor.

Mike Dunning GD0HYM Area Rep manning the RAFARS stand during the Isle of Man 'Open Government Day' or Tynwald Day.

In June 2001 Royal Air Force Station Shawbury, in Shropshire, offered hangar space for the construction of a Mk 1 Horsa by a team of volunteers living in the local area. Initially a section of Horsa fuselage, recovered after the war from a landing site in Normandy, was loaned for the volunteers to copy. A year later copies of the original working drawings were donated by BAe Systems Ltd to allow Horsa construction to develop provided an assurance was given that the new aircraft would not be flown.

The Special Event Station was established by Gary G0DNI during one of the Assault Glider Trust open days held in 2007.

Twice a year, in the Spring and late Summer, a small band of members arrive at RAFARS HQ prepared to sit down and stick it out until every envelope is sealed and contains your copy of QRV together with all of the various inserts. If it’s a hot and sticky day, then this happy band of volunteers stick to the chairs as well! Council members are wise to this and now bring cushions to the Council meetings...

A Staffordshire/Shropshire get-together, arranged by Stan Houlding, GØBYA, and Roy Davies, G3MVK, was held at RAF Cosford on Sunday 7th April 2002. After meeting at the museum restaurant for coffee, we moved over to the RAFARS headquarters building where our General Secretary, Mike Bateman, G7JPN, welcomed us. Charles Trauter, G3BQQ, then proceeded to give us a talk on “The Wartime ‘Y’ Service” which proved to be extremely interesting and was enjoyed by everyone.

RAFARS Annual Subscriptions 2002 Corporate Member: £11 Associate Member: £11 Family Membership: £9 per head Student Member: £4 Affiliated Clubs: Contact the Treasurer Honorary Members: Free

In 1999, the closure of RAF Locking resulted in No 1 Radio School and the RAFARS HQ moving to RAF Cosford

In mid 1995, four members, George Grimshaw G3TQX, John Kirby G0GXB, Leslie Greville-Smith G4SUJ and Nolly Briggs G3WGL agreed to produce a taped audio version of the RAFARS Journal 'Talking QRV' for blind and other members of the Society who had difficulty in reading the printed version.

1st April, GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR, saw the adoption of a new Constitution, with the formation of a RAFARS Council and Secretariat. The RAFARS Golden Jubilee Award was initiated, to run from 1st April 1988 to 31st March 1989, and to be available to all amateur radio operators and SWL's. The DTI granted RAFARS the use of the callsign GB50RAF for Special Event Stations operating during the Golden Jubilee Year celebrations.

2nd April, a Golden Jubilee Dinner was held at the RAF College Cranwell, marking the formation of RAFARS at No 1 Radio School, Cranwell in 1938. GB50RAF was in operation from the College over the period 31st March - 5th April, the first UK station to use a GB50 prefix in the callsign.

Current membership of the Society is now around 1,700

Air Marshal Sir Eric Dunn KBE CB BEM CEng RAF G3KED, accepted an invitation to become the first Patron of the Society.

June, an Amstrad PC 1512 computer (plus accessories) was installed at Headquarters to improve control of Society records.

Above: David Evans RSGB Secretary and Chief Executive, and Basil O'Brian Member of Council, visiting Special Event Station GB4RAF operated by members of RAF Sealand ARC in commemoration of their 25th Anniversary

May, RSGB presented RAFARS with 'golden' callsign badge, inscribed 'G8FC', to mark fifty years affiliated membership (dating from CARTS). The badge was mounted on a plaque by Station Workshops, Locking.

30th October, the FIRST ROYAL VISIT TO RAFARS, during an Official Visit to RAF Locking, when Her Majesty the Queen saw GB2HMQ in operation.

In the summer of 1985, the RAFARS Journal QRV which until now had been an A4 photocopied publication, was outsourced to a commercial printer and produced in A5 format for the first time.

12th December, visit of Air Commodore G V Lobley, Director of Signals (Air), Vice-President of RAFARS to Headquarters Station.

Below: RAFARS Station at RAF Abingdon Open Day 1985

February, membership records were transferred to a BBC Micro 'B' computer. The computer, plus accessories including a NECPC 8023 printer was purchased for £1,526.10p (adjusted for inflation, in October 2023 this equates to £4,749).

26th January, a RAFARS Area Representative Scheme was proposed.

March, the Home Office Licensing Authorities were approached, with the request that the callsigns G4RAF and G6RAF be allocated to RAFARS-affilliated clubs. The request was granted, G6RAF going to North Luffenham and G4RAF to Sealand.

June, an expedition was made to St Marys, Isle of Scilly.

Below: HQ RAFARS RAF Locking 26th April 1982. Farewell to Chairman Wg Cdr J D 'Nip' O'Brien

20th January, a proposal was made to computerise membership records, but it took until mid-1982 to become operational using a main-frame computer at No 1 Radio School.

26th July, an expedition was made to Steep Holm Island. HF and VHF stations were installed on the peak (250ft asl) and operated for three hours before being dismantled for the return trip.

6th October, Headquarters Station was re-equipped with Trio TS180 transceiver for HF operation, together with a Nagai 2-metre linear, provided by a Central Fund Grant.

13th March, application was made for the Headquarters Station callsign G8RAF. The callsign G3IRS was to be relinquished.

24th April, application was made to the MOD for authority to use Halesland, Burrington Combe, as a Two Metre Contest site.

8th October, a proposal was made to donate a RAFARS plaque to the RSGB.

8th November, a Home Office inspection was made of RAFARS Headquarters installations.

17th September, an expedition was made to Steep Holm Island, in the Bristol Channel.

7th April - a TS700 2-metre transceiver was purchased from a Nuffield Grant. It was installed at Headquarters Station.

June, an expedition was made to English Cay, near British Honduras.

30th June, a RAFARS Headquarters study of propagation was made during a solar eclipse.

20th October, RAFARS membership was reported as: Corporate 221, Associate 323, Student 13, Honorary 4, Affiliated Clubs 35.

21st March, a RTTY teleprinter station was installed at RAFARS HQ.

24th September, an expedition was made to Dartmoor.

6th July, a Hamfest to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Royal Air Force was held at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare.

February-July - Joint Services Expedition was in West Central Australia. This was primarily a geophysical expedition, with RAFARS responsible for communications with the UK. G D Griffiths, G3POX, was in the expedition team, using the callsign VK80X.

4th-5th July, a Silver Jubilee Hamfest was held at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare. The celibrations one year late - due to an oversight ....

At the 1964 National Radio Show, RAFARS installed a system which allowed the equipment at RAFARS Headquarters to be remotely controlled by landline from the RAFARS display at Earl's Court.

31st October, a report was presented on the November 1963 expedition to Kuria Maria Islands.

26th February, RAFARS was awarded a certificate by the Niagra Frontier DX Association in recognition of callsign VS9K Kamaran Island Expedition.

Station Commanders were given delegated authority to approve amateur radio installations on RAF property. Formerly, Air Ministry approval was required.

Below: Headquarters Shack, RAF Locking

19th March, report of a visit by RAFARS Chairman as NATO representative to SHAPE ARS.

Callsigns G3RAF and G3IRS were acquired - actual dates not recorded.

22nd September, was held the Official Ceremony to celebrate the Nuffield Grant for the Collins S-line equipment, complete with Press and TV coverage.

A cocktail party was held at RAFARS Headquarters - and, due to this prestigious event, the Shack acquired its toilet and washbasin ....

20th April, a proposal was made for an expedition to Djibouti and French Somaliland via Aden.

May, the Air Council agreed to the formation of a Hobbies Board and had requested from the Treasury a sum of £55,000.00, of which £10,875.00 was to be allocated to Amateur Radio.

November, an Appreciation was given to Wing Commander H E Bennett (Benny Bennett) MBE, G8PF, for his personal efforts in obtaining clearance with the Air Ministry for the use by amateurs of the 430MHz band - a privilege which has continued to the present day.

November, the expedition to Kamaran Island was reported as being successful.

14th October, a proposal was made for an expedition to Christmas Island - but, no further details are known.

February, Locking Amateur Television Society became affiliated to RAFARS.

March, RAFARS was involved in tracking the Soviet satellite, Sputnik 2.

16th February, Air Marshal Sir Raymond Hart, Senior Signals Officer of the RAF, was invited to become Patron of RAFARS.

Below: RAF Cosford, Open Day 1957. Ron Tucker, G3KTC, is on the microphone sat next to Doug Blyth, G3KCT.  This photograph was taken at a time when the club at Cosford didn’t have its own call (initially G3PWI, then G4CES).

January, RAFARS slow morse transmissions commenced.

March, RAFARS was closely involved with the GPO licensing authorities regarding licensing policy and exemption from the RAE and Morse Test for certain RAF trades.

March, Sgt Frank Johnston, of the Inspectorate of Radio Services (IRS), was given MOD authority to travel overseas on an Empire DX Tour to promote RAFARS and to conduct field trials on a 40 watt transmitter at distant locations. This tour was widely advertised by the amateur radio press and Sgt Johnson appeared on the BBC's 'In Town Tonight' radio program.

March, proposals were made allowing affiliation of ATC squadrons to RAFARS.

Below: VS1SP, RAF Changi, Singapore, April 1955 (Wing Commander H E Bennett, G8PF - Benny Bennett)

March, the Air Ministry invited RAFARS to exibit at the National Radio Show, held at the Royal Hotel in London. At these annual shows RAFARS would install a mock-up of a typical club station, eg Gan, with touches of tropical decor.

28th March, a Nuffield Grant was awarded for the commercial publication of 'QRV'. HMSO officially recognised 'QRV' and placed a regular order for 450 copies which were distributed to RAF Information rooms.

3rd July, a proposal was made for an annual RAFARS Contest, to be known as the RAFARS Century Award.

Below: RAFARS, RAF Locking, March 1954

Jack Etherington G5UG, Ron Weston G6PZ, WO Woods at G8FC Cranwell. 1952

RAFARS Headquarters moved from Cranwell to Locking as a result of the move of No. 1 Radio School. The official opening ceremony at Locking was held on 10th June 1952.

RAFARS presented an exhibit at the Farnborough Air Show.

31st January, Air Vice-Marshal E B Addison CB CBE, Director General of Signals and President of the Danesfield Section of RAFARS was granted the first Honorary Membership of the Society.

17th March, membership stood at: Corporate 115, Associate 18, Student 22.

Below: RAFARS Hamfest, RAF Uxbridge. 1948

Below: VU2PF, Vizagapatam, India, November 1945 - February 1947 (Wing Commander H E Bennett, G8PF - Benny Bennett)

26th March, RAFARS activities resumed after World War 2.

Below: ET3Z, Addis Ababa, 1945 Operator using R1084

Updated information from Peter Maxfield -The photo is one of my father's, RAF Sgt. Pete Maxfield, from his time stationed at Lideta aerodrome, in Addis Ababa in 1945. Is ET3Z the callsign? (P.S. That's not him in the photo - there were very few RAF personnel in the BMME. At one point he was the sole RAF man on site, the rest being Army)

Below: T1154/R1155 Installation in Lancaster

Below: Daily Mirror article 1941 - Flt Sgt Hanna VC

Below: Picture Daily Mirror May. Somewhere in Wiltshire - Daily Mirror article 8th May 1940. Some RAFARS Members served here.

4th March, 'Constructors Challenge Cup' purchased. Competed for only once, but still held at Headquarters. Costing originally £5.00, in 1982 it was valued at £100.00, but the nearest thing we have to Mess Silver.

(The Magazine of the Electrical and Wireless School RAF Cranwell No 8 July 1939)

R.A.F. AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY.

The departure of W.Cdr. E. M. Drummond left the Society without a chairman and made a gap difficult to fill; it is fortunate that F.O. H. O. Maxted, who was an elected vice-chairman, was available to take over this office at short notice.

News from overseas is particularly encouraging; the announcement of the formation of a Section in India, together with a request for affiliation received from an amateur radio society in the Far East, would appear to indicate that our Society is fulfilling its major object, namely, to co-ordinate the efforts of individual amateur radio experimenters throughout the Royal Air Force.

To further this aim, the Society's magazine, "QRV" has been greatly improved, the new method of production being readily adaptable to serve the needs of a rapidly expanding organisation.

In accordance with tradition, the Cranwell Section took part in the National Field Day organised by the Radio Society of Great Britain by erecting its 3.5 Mc/s portable transmitting and receiving station in a field at Brauncewell during the week-end June 3rd-4th. A 24-hour watch was maintained and a total of 158 points scored; in view of the poor conditions prevailing at the time, this compares favourably with the total of 172 points which brought the R.S.G.B. award to Cranwell last year.

Extract reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell

12th December, RAFARS activities suspended due to World War 2.

Formation of the Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society Promulgation by AMO N 242/1938 RAFARS absorbed CARTS

(The Magazine of the Electrical and Wireless School RAF Cranwell No 7 December 1938)

R.A.F. AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY.

The Society had the great misfortune in September last to lose its Chairman, Squadron Leader Charles, who had displayed great interest in the experimental work of the Cranwell members.

Prior to his departure he had arranged for a party of members to visit the Pye Radio Works at Cambridge. The flight to Duxford, the run into Cambridge, the very kind reception by the management of Pye Radio, the visit to a leading Cambridge Amateur Radio Station, and the return journey delayed until the following morning owing to inclement weather, made the trip a memorable one.

The winning of the long coveted trophy for the best performance on 3.5 Mc/s during the Annual National Field Day contest was a tribute to the excellent team work by the R.S.G.B. members at Cranwell.

The recently approved design for a Membership Certificate kindly submitted by F.Sgt. Harris embodies a Society emblem in the form of a shield between out-stretched wings, carrying R.A.F. roundels and sparks. It is hoped that this emblem will soon be available in the form of a badge for use by members.

Owing to the development of minor faults the club transmitter G8FC has not maintained its original effectiveness in establishing world-wide contacts. New buildings are springing up all round the club hut and this has necessitated the dismantling of our experimental 14 Mc/s array.

Present members of the club have re-designed the transmitter with a view to increase its efficiency, and as the rebuilding will occupy some weeks, this station will not be ready for extensive tests until Christmas.

The co-operation of all members (especially overseas) will then be very much appreciated. It is hoped to fix up regular "skeds" as soon as these tests have proved satisfactory.

Now that the motor-driven centrifugal pumps connected with the central heating are in operation, much local QRM is being experienced. This makes us sympathise with our overseas members who have the same trouble during the summer months with fans. With "PER ARDUA AD DX" as our war cry we are hoping for plenty of "fine business" during the coming year.

Extract reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell

Below: National Field Day, G8FC-P

In 1938, the RAFARS annual membership fee was 12 shillings

(The Magazine of the Electrical and Wireless School RAF Cranwell No 4 July 1937)

CRANWELL AMATEUR RADIO TRANSMITTING SOCIETY.

It must be immediately apparent to all who have experience of any of the Cranwell societies that one of the main obstacles to real progress is the perpetual change of membership due to pupils "passing out" of the School. It was felt that "Radio" as a hobby would overcome this difficulty, that the many friendly links forged in the Society's transmitting laboratory need not be broken, and that with the aid of the club transmitter it would be possible for members leaving Cranwell to keep in touch with their colleagues still under training. The inauguration of an Associate Grade of membership consequent upon the adoption of the ideal outlined above was undertaken recently, and the response has amply justified the supposition that this branch of the Society's activities would fill a long-felt need.

The Society has again to record the loss of a President occasioned by the transfer of S/Ldr. Keens to the Air Operating side, but, by a stroke of very good fortune, the arrival of S/Ldr. Cadell and his acceptance of the Presidency has enabled the Society to progress with a good pilot at the helm and without fear of running on the rocks.

Our Malta representative, L.A.C. Peach, operating a 14 M/c transmitter under the call-sign ZBIP reports by radio that S/Ldr. Thompson is taking a great interest in the development of the inter-R.A.F. amateur communication scheme.

F/Sgt. Dunn, operating at Khartoum under the call-sign ST2LR reports that he is busily engaged in planning his portable station in order to take part in the National Field Day contest organised by the Radio Society of Great Britain.

Needless to say, the home transmitter G8FC will also participate in this event, and it is hoped that by the time this report appears in print, all previous records for points scored, and stations worked will have been broken.

The home membership is steadily growing and the following members have acquired individual transmitting licences:- Mr. Fish (G8OL), L/A Bennett (G8PF), and A/A Derry (G8PQ). The departure of Cpl. Le Cheminant, who played so prominent a part in the formation of the Society, has left a gap which will be difficult to fill. The good wishes of all members go with him for success and happiness in his new career.

The research section reports that it has recently been engaged in making observations on test transmissions arranged by H. V. Bailey Esq., of Queen's College Oxford, with a view to obtaining data on the so-called "Luxembourg Effect," and in spite of loss of sleep incurred, the investigation has developed into quite a competition amongst members to see who can claim the largest number of "effects."

Extract reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell

Below: G8FC RAF Cranwell 1937

In 1935 a group of RAF amateurs stationed at the Electrical and Wireless School at Cranwell began regular meetings to discuss their technical problems.

It was decided to form a society and in 1936 the Cranwell Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (CARTS) was founded under the leadership of Wally Dunn G2LR. CARTS membership grew rapidly and a headquarters station was established with the callsign G8FC.

(No 4 APPRENTICIES WING MAGAZINE Vol IV No 3 Christmas 1925)

The Wing Radio Society

The Society has now settled down in its new quarters in Y Block which is a great improvement on the old hut. Realizing the value of Radio Wireless more fully, the members are taking full advantage of their last few months in the Society. However, owing to the preparation for the Passing Out Examination in the school subjects, there has been very little time for the keen enthusiasts.

Several members of the 1923 entry (particularly Timmins, Holdstock, Thompson and Stretton) have constructed very good sets, and of the 1924 entry, Banfil-Judge's should be mentioned. The Society has now completed its three valve receiving set and now awaits the arrival of a Brown Loud Speaker which at the moment of writing is on rail, so it is hoped that shortly some interesting evenings will be passed with this set.

The club very much regrets the loss of F/O Jones who for a lengthy period filled the position of President and Treasurer. He showed great interest in his work, and the Society has benefitted greatly by his efforts. We wish him all the best of luck in his new appointment, and every success during his arduous duties in the flight from Cairo to the Cape. The Presidency of the Club has now been accepted by F/O Hayman, and we feel that he will show the same interest as his predecessor.

Flight Lieut. Rodney, the signals officer, has visited the Society during the term and has given some interesting lectures on the theory of valves, to the great satisfaction of the members. It is hoped that we shall be honoured by further visits from this lecturer.

The strength of the Society is now sixteen and it is hoped to increase it to twenty in the near future.

Any A/A (particularly 1924 Entry) wishing to become a member should apply to A/A Woods, Hon. Sec. (No 1 Squadron).

Extract reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell

(BOYS' WING MAGAZINE Vol III No 3 Christmas 1924)

The Radio Society.

This is the fourth year that the B. W. Radio Society has been in existence, and we are glad to state that it is flourishing exceedingly. The club is now on a sound financial basis, on which members are to be congratulated.

The majority of the club members have a sound technical knowledge of wireless and many fine sets have been constructed during the last few months. Boy Holdstock, No. 3 Squadron. has made a very good three valve set by which he is able to receive from all the B.B.C. and also from many continental stations.

The club room has been improved considerably by the installation of a new stove, so that the members can now work in comfort and their gas masks are no longer needed. Boy Gatehouse is to be congratulated upon his efforts to make the club snug and comfortable. We hope to close a most successful season by giving a dinner to the members before the end of term. A.A.J. (BOYS' WING MAGAZINE Vol III No 3 Christmas 1924)

BOYS' WING JUNIOR Y.M.C.A. WIRELESS CLUB

This club has just been re-organised under new rules and with a new committee. All who are genuinely interested will be welcome.

The Club is well equipped and accumulators and high tension batteries are always ready for the use of members. Excellent entertainment has been given to members and non-members with a four valve set with dull emitters and the club "Claritone" loud speaker. Several members have constructed sets during the short time that the club has been active and very good results have been obtained, especially with the aid of a low frequency amplifier made by one of the members.

Now that the Club is ready to "go ahead" a large programme of activities is being planned for the forthcoming term. R.A.B. Extracts reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell

(No 4 APPRENTICIES WING MAGAZINE MCMXXVI)

The Radio Society

A meeting was held in March, 1922 with Wing Commander R. H. Verney, O.B.E. in the chair, and it was decided to form a Wireless Club, as an offshoot of the then existing Engineering Society. As a result the Society was formed in June of that year with a membership of twenty-five. Flight Lieut. I. M. Rodney (Station Signals Officer) was asked to act as the technical adviser of the Club which he kindly agreed to do. He began by arranging a series of valuable lecturers and demonstrations which were a great help to the members, and the results of the tuition can be seen in the sets manufactured by the members of the Society.

In October, 1922 the Air Ministry was asked if certain wireless instruments could be lent to the Club. Permission was given and two instruments were received during the following month. These instruments proved very useful and have been retained in the Club until the present winding up of the Society owing to the moving of the Wing to Halton.

The present membership of the Club is seventeen, and the majority of these have from time to time made up very useful valve sets of their own. The Club has a 3 valve set together with a Large Brown Loud Speaker which was purchased by the subscriptions of the Club members, and with the assistance of the late President, F/O A. A. Jones.

It is hoped that the Society will have the opportunity of continuing on the arrival of the Wing at Halton and it will be necessary for a number of the 1924 Entry to roll along with their half-a-crown entrance fees, for at the moment only four of the members belong to the junior Entry.

The Society particularly wishes to thank Flight Lieut. Rodney for the great assistance he has given at all times and especially for recent lectures on "Short Wave Telephony".

All extracts reproduced by kind permission of the AOC and Commandant RAF College Cranwell.