Long Range
Maritime
Communications
in the UK

Radiotelephony
from
Baldock Radio

Portishead Radio

Wick/GKR

Oban/GNE

Content researched by
Bob Dixon
photographs by
David Butler

The United Kingdom's early long-range radiotelephony service was operated via the International Telephone Exchange in London. The radio transmitting stations for the service were located at Rugby and Criggion and the receiving station at Baldock and Bearley. Circuits from the International Exchange were routed to the transmitting and receiving stations via the radio terminal at Brent.

Although a 24 hour service was available, there were no specific watchkeeping hours. Ships generally initiated communication by sending a message to the radio terminal indicating their request for communication on set frequencies at a particular time. Larger passenger ships, who were frequency users of the service, often arranged further contacts at the end of each session. It was also possible to alert the receiving station automatically by transmitting a carrier which operated an audible alarm.

Baldock Radio in 1969

BALDOCK RADIO exclusive position for QUEEN ELIZABETH 2/GBTT in picture - Paddy/G3UDI
ship control area in picture - Jack Pridmore/G3?? and Paul Randall/G3NJV	ship control picture right - Paul Randall/G3NJV
telex area in picture - David Butler/G4ASR	Search Receivers including RA17
fixed services point-to-point receivers
Adjusting point-to-point fixed-service receiver in picture - David Butler/G4ASR

April 1970 saw the transfer of the radiotelephone service from Baldock Radio to the Portishead Radio operational site at Burnham/Highbridge.