History
Station A was commissioned by the Ministry of Supply in 1939, and it was one of six identical buildings constructed. The purpose of the buildings were to test and monitor very high frequency radio waves, or microwaves, and the effect that the weather had on the radio wave signals beyond the optical horizon - or put another way, around the curve of the earth. The code name for this top secret testing was “ project 369”. "369" referred to the band width of the radio waves they were testing 3, 6 and 9cm. The testing also became known as the Irish Sea tests.
Station A was commissioned by the Ministry of Supply in 1939, and it was one of six identical buildings constructed. The purpose of the buildings were to test and monitor very high frequency radio waves, or microwaves, and the effect that the weather had on the radio wave signals beyond the optical horizon - or put another way, around the curve of the earth. The code name for this top secret testing was “ project 369”. "369" referred to the band width of the radio waves they were testing 3, 6 and 9cm. The testing also became known as the Irish Sea tests.
GEC cm wave propagation.pdfThe possibilities that high frequency radio wave offered to the military and the BBC were well understood, but the effects that obstacles and weather played on the reliability of the signals weren’t. The testing over a prolonged period enabled the military to turn their new found knowledge into practical advances, such as the first wireless radio set for the army (No 10 set), and also advances in radar.
The possibilities that high frequency radio wave offered to the military and the BBC were well understood, but the effects that obstacles and weather played on the reliability of the signals weren’t. The testing over a prolonged period enabled the military to turn their new found knowledge into practical advances, such as the first wireless radio set for the army (No 10 set), and also advances in radar.
No 10 Set above
Wireless Engineer 1947 pages 49-57, (on the document as pages 323-332), details of 3.5cm Duplex radio Set, tested in Station A, that went on to become the Army No10 set.
Wireless-Engineer-1947-11.pdfThe testing was of use to many organisations. Because of this, the government set up a body called “the ultra short wave panel”. This panel met on a regular basis to hear the progress of the testing. We were at the forefront of this science, and due to our close relationship with the United States, they sent three radio wave experts over in November 1939 to discuss the Irish Sea tests. It was agreed to share our findings so as not to duplicate our efforts.
The testing was of use to many organisations. Because of this, the government set up a body called “the ultra short wave panel”. This panel met on a regular basis to hear the progress of the testing. We were at the forefront of this science, and due to our close relationship with the United States, they sent three radio wave experts over in November 1939 to discuss the Irish Sea tests. It was agreed to share our findings so as not to duplicate our efforts.
The testing of centimetre radio waves owes a lot to two Birmingham based scientist Randle and Boot, when in February 1940, they improved the cavity magnetron to be able to create multi-kilowatt pulses at a 10cm wavelength. This led to much smaller antennas and dishes, and made the detection of small objects possible by radar and a radio set for the military, which became portable. The cavity magnetron was developed by GEC research laboratories in Wembley. GEC had given their research laboratories over to the war effort to aid the National interest. GEC produced the valves that were used in Station A.
The testing of centimetre radio waves owes a lot to two Birmingham based scientist Randle and Boot, when in February 1940, they improved the cavity magnetron to be able to create multi-kilowatt pulses at a 10cm wavelength. This led to much smaller antennas and dishes, and made the detection of small objects possible by radar and a radio set for the military, which became portable. The cavity magnetron was developed by GEC research laboratories in Wembley. GEC had given their research laboratories over to the war effort to aid the National interest. GEC produced the valves that were used in Station A.
The six buildings which were constructed for the tests were all on the west coast. There were three locations with two buildings at each, one building was a low station and one a high station. The low station used the sea and the high station the troposphere, or the clouds, to aid radiowave propergation. These different conditions were used to provide the relevant data. The locations were, South Wales, North Wales and Scotland. All of the weather and radio wave readings were sent to the National Physical Laboratory to analyse the data
The six buildings which were constructed for the tests were all on the west coast. There were three locations with two buildings at each, one building was a low station and one a high station. The low station used the sea and the high station the troposphere, or the clouds, to aid radiowave propergation. These different conditions were used to provide the relevant data. The locations were, South Wales, North Wales and Scotland. All of the weather and radio wave readings were sent to the National Physical Laboratory to analyse the data
When the testing finished in 1945, the building was then next used by British Railways, who ran the Ireland to Fishguard ferry, now the Stena Line, for a transmitter station, prior to satellite. The military retained the use of the land, and sited a mobile radar unit on site until 1960.
When the testing finished in 1945, the building was then next used by British Railways, who ran the Ireland to Fishguard ferry, now the Stena Line, for a transmitter station, prior to satellite. The military retained the use of the land, and sited a mobile radar unit on site until 1960.
Two photographs of Station A, taken we think in the 1980s
A mobile radar unit, that was sited at Station A after the testing was complete
A mobile radar unit, that was sited at Station A after the testing was complete
In the next chapter of the buildings' history, it then became a small workshop and agricultural store.
In the next chapter of the buildings' history, it then became a small workshop and agricultural store.
In 2009, the present owners purchased the building. The building was known as a "former anti-U Boat listening station" to many of the locals, and was even sold as this. It was only when the present owners had a chance meeting, with a gentleman who used to work in the building during the original testing, did the true history unfold. Mr John Feetham who had lived locally, had managed to get a job at Station A straight from school. We were lucky enough to meet up with John again where, at a care home in Derby, we took an audio recording of his time at Station A. This has enabled us to bring more life to the story. After a ten year battle, this new information enabled the owners to finally gain change of use permission for a holiday let. The Governments Planning Inspectorate granted permission in 2019.
In 2009, the present owners purchased the building. The building was known as a "former anti-U Boat listening station" to many of the locals, and was even sold as this. It was only when the present owners had a chance meeting, with a gentleman who used to work in the building during the original testing, did the true history unfold. Mr John Feetham who had lived locally, had managed to get a job at Station A straight from school. We were lucky enough to meet up with John again where, at a care home in Derby, we took an audio recording of his time at Station A. This has enabled us to bring more life to the story. After a ten year battle, this new information enabled the owners to finally gain change of use permission for a holiday let. The Governments Planning Inspectorate granted permission in 2019.