Amateur Radio

At the start of WWII, amateur radio enthusiasts (known as ‘hams’) became the nucleus of the Y Service — the organization that listened to and recorded the German military wireless transmissions. A visit to the exhibition offers an opportunity to learn more about this aspect of the Bletchley Park story.

The exhibition is maintained by the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Club (G8MKC, G3HIU), formed in 1958 by a group of radio amateurs.  Many of the founder members were from Hanslope Park radio station who wished to continue to use their skills as fast CW morse code operators.  Current members have a wide range of knowledge and skills in radio and electronics, including ex-military, diplomatic service, ex-BBC and commercial. Equipment on display is used to establish live communications on a global scale.

Members decided to assist in the project to save Bletchley Park by building a radio station here. They obtained a local landmark, the replica RKO radio tower, installing it shortly before the radio station was officially opened by the Duke of Kent in 1994. Ten years on and MKARS members still man Bletchley Park Station X with its unique call sign GB2BP - often using spy sets!