Radio and Radio Waves Connect Local History to the World at Marquess of Anglesey’s Column

Members of the Dragon Amateur Radio Club have successfully wrapped up a busy weekend of broadcasting, history, and deep-rooted family heritage. Operating from the historic Marquess of Anglesey’s Column (Tŵr Marcwis), the club participated in the international Museums on the Air event, sharing the rich history of Anglesey with radio enthusiasts across the globe.

Operating from the ancient rocks of Craig y Dinas—a site recognized globally as part of the GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark—the club set up temporary High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio stations. Setting up at the historic location involved some creative, hands-on experimentation. The team initially deployed a long wire antenna running vertically up the column alongside a counterpoise, a setup the club hadn’t trialed before. When this initial configuration struggled to perform, they quickly pivoted to a doublet antenna, which proved far more successful.

Operating entirely on battery power using a Kenwood rig, an MFJ antenna tuning unit (ATU), and a logging computer, the operators faced incredibly tough ionospheric conditions. Despite widespread reports of poor radio propagation from other enthusiasts across the bands, the determined team managed to secure 25 hard-fought contacts using Single Sideband (SSB), FM, and digital modes, effectively putting the iconic monument on the global amateur radio map.

Representing the club on the airwaves and managing the station throughout the weekend were MW0NWN, GW6MLI, GW7BZR, Sylvia (GW0WZL), MW7JCX, GW1SGG, GW0OGI, MW8IJD, and 2W0NKS. The successful activation was made possible thanks to the Trustees of the Marquess of Anglesey’s Column, who kindly granted site access, provided invaluable assistance throughout the event, and kept the team fueled from the excellent on-site café.

Visitors who flocked to the monument over the weekend were treated to live demonstrations of this technology, discovering how operators can bounce signals off the ionosphere to communicate globally without reliance on the internet or cellular networks. Club members were on hand throughout the day, bridging the gap between cutting-edge radio communication and local heritage.

The Grade II* listed Doric column itself was originally built to honor Henry William Paget, the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who famously led the British cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo. Today, the site features a visitor center and museum that details the Marquess’s military career, the engineering behind the 27-meter monument, and even the famous story of his lost leg.

However, for one club member, the weekend was about a historical connection much closer to home.

While the event celebrated national military history, it also highlighted a poignant personal thread linking the monument directly to the club. Mervyn Jones (GW1SGG) was operating within the shadow of the craftsmanship of his own great-grandfather, Robert Jones (1841–1904).

Robert Jones, a lifelong resident of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll and a highly skilled 19th-century joiner, is tied to the column by a proud family tradition. Records show that between 1840 and 1890, the monument’s grueling 115-step internal wooden staircase required multiple reconstructions and repairs. Local tradesmen were routinely brought in for the specialized work, and it is firmly believed that Robert’s hands helped shape the very stairs that allowed generations of visitors to climb to the column’s viewing platform.

“Operating from this site adds a profound layer of meaning for the club, but especially for Mervyn,” said a club representative. “It serves as a powerful reminder that these grand monuments aren’t just built by famous historical figures; they are maintained and preserved by the local craftsmen whose stories are woven into the very fabric of our communities.”

With the antennas packed away and the logs submitted to QRZ for electronic QSL confirmation, the Dragon Amateur Radio Club has successfully concluded another memorable event—proving that amateur radio is not just about technology, but about keeping history, heritage, and community stories alive.