Echoes From The Rock: 80 Years of Ham Radio & 50 Years of GARS On May 27th, the Gibraltar Amateur Radio Society (GARS) hosted a public exhibition celebrating an important double milestone for Gibraltar’s communications heritage: 80 years of Amateur Radio on the Rock and the 50th Anniversary of the Gibraltar Amateur Radio Society (GARS). During the week long exhibition, the special callsign ZB2FTY was used from a demo shack setup at the exhibition. The Dawn of Gibraltar Ham Radio (1940s) Amateur radio in Gibraltar officially flickered to life in the shadow of the Second World War. As wartime radio restrictions were lifted in the late 1940s, local and military enthusiasts who had developed a passion for electronics and wireless technology during the war began assembling their own stations. It was 80 years ago in 1946 that the first licence with the ZB2 prefix, ZB2A was issued to the RAF Amateur Radio Club, led by Squadron Leader Robert (Bob) Butterworth. The Lifeline: Radio Operators and the Closed Border Era (1969–1985) Perhaps the most profound and emotionally charged chapter in Gibraltar’s amateur radio history unfolded when the land frontier with Spain was closed fully by the Spanish Franco government. Overnight, families were torn apart. Relatives in Gibraltar and nearby Spain could see each other across the physical barrier, but standard telephone lines and postal links were severed and direct communication was impossible. During this painful period, Gibraltar's ham radio operators stepped up as a vital, unofficial lifeline. Going beyond the bounds of a technical hobby, local operators used their shortwave radios to bridge the forced separation using their stations on behalf of families, relaying messages in order to maintain links over the airwaves. Operators passed crucial family news – sometimes good news, sometimes bad, and sometimes just reassurances that all remained well - from one side of the border to the other. For families starved of contact with their loved ones, the radio shack was a humanitarian lifeline. The Birth of GARS (1976) It was precisely during this period of isolation that the need for a unified local body became most apparent. 50 years ago in 1976, right in the middle of the border closure period, the GARS was formally established with the merger of the RAF Amateur Radio Club and the Gibraltar Amateur Radio Club. Inspiring the Next Generation Every August the GARS runs a special event station (ZB2LGT) for the International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend, and every October the GARS continues to support local youth charities and organizations, most notably the Scouts and the Gibraltar Youth Service with the annual JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) event. Celebration events Later this year (a provisional date of 20th November has been set) a commemorative 50p coin and a set of four stamps are to be issued, to mark the 50th anniversary of the GARS and the 80th anniversary of the first ZB2 amateur radio licence. These items can be purchased online from www.gibraltar-stamps.com and www.wopa-plus.com , as well as by post from the Philatelic Shop, 104 Main St, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, GIBRALTAR. Pre-orders will be accepted shortly before the issue date From Ken ZB2MD, on behalf of GARS (ZB2BU) Attached pics; ZB GARS members Among the members are our President ZB2B, Secretary ZB2JK and Treasurer ZB2RR. ZB QO-100 Temporary setup working rg Qo-100 satellite, the dish on the ground just outside the shack. At the desk is ZB2GI (Kevin, sk) and next to him is ZB3P who was seen in the pic above. ZB 50 anniv A picture of the banner used at the exhibition held in May referred to in the text above, with an obvious pictorial reference the Society’s historical link to the RAF. ZB inspecting The local fauna inspects an antenna. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe with a population of wild monkeys ZB JK+MD vertical ZB2JK (left) and ZB2MD, on installing a very temporary vertical antenna at the exhibition hall roof for the May 26 exhibition
Very interesting, thank you for sharing the history and pictures. And congratulations on the double anniversary!
Congratulations....one thing I have noticed among ham radio operators is that we are all friends no matter where we are from worldwide, we are friendly.
Congratulations...that twin engine tail dragger looks like an old Ventura or Lockheed L50. The Ventura later became a Howard 500. 73 Tom, NY0V
This is awesome. A quick question. When is a good time to look for the stations on Gibralter to be on the air, and what bands and modes do you operate? I could use it to add to my DXCC count. 73s WE2A
I held the call ZB2BK and also operated using ZB2A when stationed temporily in Gibraltar in 1975. My log shows 88 QSO's using my own call and the log of ZB2A possibly still exists. All QSL cards were filled out and sent for both calls. 73 Peter G3VNH
It was a few years ago, but my QSOs with Gibraltar were 4 x 20m, 2 x 15m, and one 10m, all SSB. Between 13:29-21:50, but mostly 19:00-21:00 UTC. Spotter networks can help find them. I haven't yet seen them on the digital modes (FT8 & FT4), and I would have tried if I did. Cheers.
Wow from the Rock of Gibraltar, very impressive, and beautiful place to operate a Ham Station, i can only imagine the logistics to get there and setup. W6FRD
Some real (kinda radio) history there as well - Operation Tracer. Operation TRACER: The Secret WWII Bunker Hidden Inside The Rock of Gibraltar. – Calum
ABOUT TIME GARS STOPPED INFLUENCING THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES FROM ISSUING FULL LICENCE HOLDERS WHO IAW CEPT RULES THAT YOU AS ZB2 CALL HOLDERS ENJOY HERE IN THE UK.RECIPICATE LICENCE CONDITIONS TO ALLOW HF OPERATIONS THE SAME AS A FULL ZB2 CALL HOLDER IN GIB. ALSO PREVIOUS ZB2 CALL HOLDERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR CALLS (IF APPROPRIATE FEES ARE PAID TO THE GIBRALTAR GOVT.) THERE IS NO LONGER ANY REASON TO CONTINUE THE REGULATIONS BROUGHT IN BY THE GARS (I AM AN EX PRESIDENT BY THE WAY). HOW CAN THE GARS HAVE SO MUCH SAY IN WHAT GIB GIOVT. DO? CORRUPT OR WHAT! THIS IS NOT HOW THINGS SHOULD BE IN OUR HOBBY.
