GB1SKT (South Knighton Telegraph) is a Special Event Station being held on Telegraph Hill, South Knighton, Devon, England.

Telegraph Hill is in grid square IO80dn. Telegraph Hill is 690 feet high, but I shall be operating from 550 feet. This site is more challenging in that it is only accessible with equipment using a Land-Rover or similar 4X4.

The view from the Command Tent:

South Knighton Telegraph is the 18th telegraph on the Plymouth Line.

Operating from South Knighton:

Inside the Command Tent:

Due to on going bad weather conditions and approaching front with torrential rain and severe gales this special event site was closed down at 1100UTC on Thursday 15th July - I am sorry if you were still waiting to make a contact, please see M0XIG site for details of the next Shutter Telegraph Special Event.

This event commemorates the fact that it is over 200yrs since the shutter telegraph first operated at this site. [Please also see details for GB2CT, GB1WT,GB2TT, GB1TT, GB2BST, GB1DCT, GB5SCT, GB5RST, GB5GHT, GB1MT, GB2LST, GB1ST and GB2MWT which relate to other shutter telegraph stations] -Have you got your set?

QSL CARD DETAILS: Shows a model of the inside of a shutter telegraph, courtesy of Royal Signals Museum, Blandford.

During the Napoleonic wars South Knighton Shutter Telegraph was one of a number that operated as arelay station to pass messages between the Admiralty in London and the Naval port of Plymouth.

There was already a system in place between London and Portsmouth and in 1805a line was started to connect with Plymouth. The exact date of when the work as completed isn't known, but is believed to be soon after 4th May 1806, as there is a report on this date stating the line was almost ready. There is more information on the shutter telegraph at the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford, Dorset.

The Grid / Locator for this station is IO80dn ITU Zone:27 CQ Zone:14

WAB: SX87 South Knighton, Devon

The operator for this event is John Wakefield M0XIG

If you wish to QSL direct please enclose a SASE or return postage costs in the form of IRC or green stamp, otherwise QSL's will go via the Buro.

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