St Rognvald founded St Magnus Cathedral, the northernmost cathedral in the UK, in memory of his uncle Magnus. Magnus ruled Orkney with his cousin Haakon, but after a period of peaceful joint rule, they fell out. In order that there might be peace in Orkney, after some treachery by Haakon, Magnus sacrificed his life, a story which can be read in the Sagas (or on the Web).
Rognvald was born in Grimstad in Norway, near the settlement of Bringsværd, around 1100, but spent much of his life in and around Orkney. He was murdered in Caithness in 1158.

 

   GS8R 

THE RADIO STATION
Background
GS8R is a unique call sign specially issued by the licensing authorities, to be used in part of a programme of activities, including: lectures, concerts, visits by Viking longships, exhibitions etc. to commemorate the 850 anniversary of the death of St Rognvald (pronounced Ronald).
In Norway our sister special event station (LA8EARL) will operate from Bringsværd, within a few hundred metres of where Rognvald was born. GS8R will operate at Scapa Bay, within a few hundred metres of where Rognvald embarked and disembarked on his journeys across the Pentland Firth to Scotland and further afield.

The Operation
GS8R will operate from 80 to 10 metres, SSB, CW, and Data from 18:00 on Friday 22nd August to 19:00 on Sunday, 24th August; and again from 18:00 on Friday 29th August to 19:00 on Sunday 31st August 2008. There may be odd days of operation during the week. Transmissions will be centred on a frequency ending 4; e.g. 14.014, 14.244.
QSL for this operation only
 
For GS8R, QSL direct to: 
 
GS8R, Ashwell, St Ola, KIRKWALL, Orkney KW15 1SX UK. 
 
UK contacts enclose SAE, Europe and rest of the world $2 or equivalent contribution.
Details also on QRZ.com. Contacts will also be logged on LoTW.

For the special certificate for stations which have contacted both GS8R and LA8EARL, apply as under 'Awards'; but for this certificate you must provide your log detail for each contact to support your claim.
 
We look forward to your call.                                                                               73   Ed GM0WED
 

 

 

Orkney Amateur Radio Club, gratefully acknowledges support from Orkney Islands Council, Grimstad Kommune, and Orkney Sea Cadets for support in putting on these special event stations.