The Churches on the Air (CHOTA) 2024 event, held on September 14th, continued its tradition of fostering connections between amateur radio enthusiasts and church communities worldwide. This annual event, organized by the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners (WACRAL), saw participation from numerous church-based radio stations across the globe. The event is designed to encourage fellowship among both “activators” who set up stations at churches and “chasers” who make contact with these stations from afar.
HADARS, operated two stations this year: GB0BHM at Blackshaw Head Methodist Church and GB1BHM in the nearby village of Shelf.
The Blackshaw Head Methodist Church, a historic chapel over 200 years old, provided a unique and meaningful backdrop for this year’s event. The chapel’s history is deeply intertwined with the region’s industrial past, having been established during a time when the cottage hand-loom industry in the uplands was declining due to the rise of industrialization in the valleys. The construction of canals and railways accelerated this shift, making the chapel a symbol of the community’s resilience and adaptation through changing times.
The Bethel Chapel in Shelf, England, was built in 1853, though the builder’s identity remains unknown. Originally affiliated with the Wesleyan Reform movement, the chapel joined the United Methodist Free Church in 1873 and has remained independent since. The chapel’s graveyard is notable for containing the grave of Joseph Hobson Jagger, a local mill engineer famous for being the only person to legally “break the bank” at Monte Carlo.
HADARS has been using the Blackshaw Head location for many years, with the continued support and permission of the chapel authorities, reflecting a strong partnership between the radio society and the local community. The stations set up by HADARS offered participants the opportunity to connect with amateur radio operators worldwide, sharing the history and spirit of Blackshaw Head and Shelf during the CHOTA event. This year’s operation was a testament to the enduring connection between history, community, and the global amateur radio network.
This year’s Blackshaw Head radio event faced less-than-ideal weather, with conditions that put participants’ skills and equipment to the test. With the weather report predicting increased wind speeds later in the day, the decision was made to opt for a doublet antenna in an inverted V configuration. This proved to be a wise move, ensuring stability under the gusty conditions.
The HF station was equipped with the highly-regarded Yaesu FT-710, an excellent choice for field operations. Known for its robust features and reliability, the FT-710 showed its value in the demanding environment of a radio field event. Operating the station were Max Townend (G4SDX), Hardy Whiteley-Boocock (G5HWB), Thomas Clay (M7HFX) and Dean Baker (G4DBI).
The VHF station, meanwhile, ran smoothly using a Yaesu FTM-300 paired with a Diamond X50 white stick antenna, operated by Paul Rigg (G0TVB). The equipment performed well, with stable signals, though conditions remained less than ideal.
Unfortunately, a solar storm a few days prior to the event caused significant disruptions on the 40-meter band. Initially, the band was barely operational, with only a handful of European stations audible. This was a marked contrast to the 2023 event, which had been a tremendous success, making this year’s difficulties all the more disappointing.
Overall, the skill and adaptability of the operators ensured that the event still proceeded smoothly despite the conditions, but it was a stark reminder of how unpredictable and challenging field radio events can be when both the weather and solar activity are not on your side.
Unfortunately mid afternoon the wind speed became too high risking damage the to hf antenna pole and with the band conditions being marginal, the decision was made to take it down 1 hour before the 4pm deadline before any damage could be caused.
The second station, located at Bethel Methodist Church in Shelf, faced challenges similar to those at Blackshaw Head, with initially poor propagation conditions in the morning. Early contacts were limited to a few stations via ground wave, primarily reaching into southern England.
As the day progressed, conditions marginally improved, and a few Scottish stations were heard, though they remained elusive and out of reach for contact. Despite the limited success, one highlight was an interesting QSO with PA80OMG, a special event station commemorating the 1943 Operation Market Garden, adding a unique touch to an otherwise quiet day of operating.
Overall, it was a slightly disappointing day for both the Shelf and Blackshaw Head stations, with both locations affected by weather and the aftereffects of a recent solar storm. Nonetheless, the spirit of camaraderie and the opportunity to enjoy the hobby in the field provided a positive aspect. In the end, even with less-than-ideal conditions, it was an enjoyable event, with the pleasure of reconnecting with fellow operators and being part of the wider radio community.
Results for the day:
QSO results from the Blackshaw head station
HF contacts, 21 overall including 10 chota stations.
VHF 2m contacts 19 including 7 chota stations.
40 in total.
QSO results from Bethel Methodist station
HF contacts, 35 overall including 15 Chota stations
VHF 2m Contacts 2 including 1 Chota station