N8SHZ - Béla Lindenfeld
Béla Lindenfeld and his wife Jean / KC8MIO visited Scotland
in November 2005.
During this time Béla gave talks at the Kilmarnock and Ayr
radio clubs.
In
2002 Béla was one of just four operators - EA3BTD, EA5XX,
N8SHZ and XE1L - who undertook an Amateur Radio Expedition to Western
Sahara S0.
The expedition had a dual purpose -
- The telecommunications system in S0 consisted primarily of the
maritime services on the coast. VHF Amateur radio equipment, including
a repeater, base stations and hand portables, had been supplied
from various sources in Spain. One purpose of the expediiton was
to install and commission all of this equipment to provide a means
of communications in that part of the country.
- The opportunity existed for 3 to 4 days to legitinately activate
this rare country with Amateur Radio Station S07L.
Béla's account of this expedition is entertaining and educational
- let's just start with "where is S0?" (see map above!)
- or the fact that the flight there goes only every 2 months and
takes off sometime between 10am and 6pm on the appointed day!
- or the fact that verticals and other end-fed antennas don't
work in the desert!
- the food is "interesting"
- the locals look after you and are friendly (the Spanish language
is useful in this respect)
- planning for such an expedition needs to be perfect (and, even
then, something will be forgotten!)
Béla is a retired school teacher and uses his skills well
to tell their tale. Wherever you are in the world, if you get the
chance, this is an illustrated talk which is worth hearing.
Thanks Béla for very interesting evenings. We trust you
and Jean had a good holiday in Scotland.
N8SHZ Béla Lindenfeld at home in his shack
N8SHZ with XE1L
