Back in 1982 I arrived in Porthcurno, Cornwall, fresh out of college and wet behind the ears. The attraction of Porthcurno? Apart from the fantastic beach, gorgeous blue water and weather, it was a remote Cable & Wireless out-station were people from all around the world came to learn about all sorts of communication equipment.

Well Porthcurno has just been awarded a great accolade – it’s one of Britain’s top ten beaches. But there’s more to Porthcurno than that.

Cliff-side theatre

Aside from the fantastic beach, there is the intriguing Minack Theatre which was built in to the cliffs by Rowena Cade in the 1930s. Whilst not being a mainstream theatre-goer, I recommend everyone attends at least one play there for the atmosphere. There’s nothing like watching HMS Pinafore with the wind in your hair and the Atlantic Ocean for a backdrop – no other theatre comes close.

Communications galore

The Cable & Wireless training college is now long gone, but before it was established as a place of learning it was one of the most important places in the world – so important that it was heavily defended during World War II.

Porthcurno, or PK as it was more commonly known in the communications world, was were many of Britain’s communications cables slipped down the beach, in to the ocean, and off to all corners of the world. Porthcurno was the centre of the Victorian Internet.

The sands shift nightly on the beach and often reveal their secret, armour plated submarine cables that will, at one time, have linked Britain with every continent on the planet. But it doesn’t stop there, about a quarter of a mile north of the beach is the Porthcurno Telegraph museum.

The museum traces the history of communications in this remote part of the United Kingdom and is a fascinating visit for the whole family.

Porthcurno – one of my top locations in England

Cornwall holds a special place in my memories. It is a special place and I suggest you book your trip now.

Vintage Racal RA17 Receiver

I trained as a Radio Officer with Cable & Wireless in the early eighties and worked on the venerable, and much loved, Racal RA17 HF receiver. It’s a big beast, extremely well made, stable and very easy to use – ask anyone who’s had one, they’re great.

I obtained my RA17 back in the early 90s from Fleetwood Nautical College. It was lovingly restored and maintained and is a great example of this class receiver. Since then it has sat in my shack and performed sterling service tuning in to HF broadcast services from around the world. With an amplified indoor HF receiving antenna from Sony fantastic results were obtained.

It is with reluctance that I had to let my beloved RA17 go, but needs must I’m afraid. The shack has been converted in to an office for my business and the space allocated to Amateur Radio gear is much reduced.

It went for the lowly price of £120 which was an absolute bargain for the buyer given that it was in such good condition, but I did want to free up the space rather quickly. Maybe one day – another one will apear in my shack, who knows.

Relevant links: Using an RA17,  Keith’s Vintage Racal Site, eHam reviews