GB6GEO Weekend

Once again radio stations from around the world will be
exchanging greetings over the airwaves with the English Riviera Global Geopark in May as amateur radio operators transmit live from Kents Cavern in Torquay, right in the heart of the English Riviera Global Geopark.

Using a special event call sign, GB6GEO, will establish contact with other radio stations around Britain, Europe and around the world from a base set up outside the entrance to Kents Cavern, Devon’s internationally famous Stone Age cave and gateway to the English Riviera Global Geopark.

There are now 53 Geoparks around the world, but this special radio event is being coordinated from Kent's Cavern. Visitors will be able to link up with several other Geoparks by radio over the weekend, including Araripe Geopark in Brazil; Kanawinka Geopark in Australia; Langkawi Geopark in
Malaysia; the Petrified Forest of Lesvos Geopark in Greece, the Brecon Beacons in Wales, Nature Park Terra Vita, Germany, Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark Romania, Naturtejo Geopark Portugal, and to the Copper Coast
Geopark in Southern Ireland.

Many Geoparks also have show caves, and those participating so far include: Smoo Cave in the North West Highlands Geopark in Scotland, Marble Arch Caves Geopark in Northern Ireland and Unicorn Cave in the Harz Mountains in Germany.

With the event now global, the event will run from 0900z on Saturday, May 22nd, through the night to 1600z on Sunday, May 23rd.

GEOPARK CERTIFICATE:
For amateur radio stations/SWL's around the world who contact/hear Geopark stations, the English Riviera Geopark is offering a special beautiful commemorative European Geoparks Network radio amateur certificate for contacts with GB6GEO (instant qualifier), or two Geopark stations excluding GB6GEO. (this award will also apply to SWL's on a heard basis).

This certificate is endorsed by the Queen's husband H.R.H The Duke of Edinburgh, with his own words congratulating the holder. Certificates will cost in the UK 2.50 GBP each, in Europe 4 Euros and Rest of the world 5 USDs.

Alternatively certificate holders to be the first in their country to claim the certificate will have an 'FC' suffix following the certificate number. This denotes the first person in their country to claim the 'Geoparks' award. These certificate holders will be worth one point towards the basic certificate that requires two points, or work any five (5)
certificate holders. Many of these certificate holders can be found in the Torbay Amateur Radio Society nets and/or details from the Web site at: http://www.tars.org.uk

Certificate Manager/Direct QSLs go to Martin Foster, G3VOF (QTHR or QRZ.com). Please also see QRZ.com for the latest updates. Only log details are necessary.

QSL DETAILS:
There are special glossy high quality souvenir QSL cards
for this event promoting the English Riviera Geopark. All QSL cards will automatically be sent out via the Bureau, or send an SASE in the UK. If you are outside the UK, then please send an addressed envelope and sufficient funds for return postage. If you would like a card direct (Please QSL via G3VOF).

Any information required about GB6GEO, please contact Martin Foster (G3VOF) via E-mail at: martin@riviera.fm or via QRZ.com. If you live in Austria, Australia, China, Croatia, Norway, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Spain or Brazil and would like to participate this year (2010) in the Geoparks Communication Festival by putting on a "GEO" callsign, please get in touch with G3VOF via E-mail (at the above address).