Radio Hams visit 10 Downing Street

Posted date: July 19, 2016in: NewsNo Comments

Jessica M6LPJ with Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS – Credit Richard Found

Radio amateurs were invited to a reception at the UK Prime Minister’s residence to celebrate the successful mission of UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS

Sandringham school studentJessica Leigh M6LPJ and her head teacher Alan Gray G4DJXattended the event with Tim Peake.

Jessica was the first UK school student to establish amateur radio communications with Tim Peake during his six month mission on the International Space Station.
The contact took place on January 8, 2016 and was featured on National TV and in the press.

Year 10 pupil Jessica M6LPJ, along with two other students Polly M6POG and Emma M6GJQ, passed her amateur radio Foundation exam just before Christmas 2015 after training with the Verulam Amateur Radio Club.

Sandringham school caters for 1300 students aged 11-19 with 100 teachers including specialist teachers of computing science and three female physics teachers all of whom have a specialist interest in space and astronomy. In addition, the head teacher Alan Gray G4DJX is a very active radio amateur who was extremely supportive of the ISS contact.