AMATEUR Radio enthusiasts are to gather at Newstead Abbey on Thursday for a historic worldwide broadcast being set up to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Lord Byron’s only legitimate child.
The special broadcast is taking place on the birthdate of Ada Lovelace, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers.
Lovelace, who was the child of Byron and his wife Anne Isabella Milbanke and born at the Abbey, was a mathematician and scientist who worked with Charles Babbage on one of the first general purpose computers – known as the Analytical Engine.
Her notes about the machine include what is recognised as the first algorithm, a procedure or formula for solving a problem, which was intended to be carried out by a computer.
The radio enthusiasts will gather in the abbey’s café courtyard from December 10-13 and begin broadcasting across the world using the call sign GB200ADA.
A special downloadable certificate will be available to anyone who makes contact with the Special Event Station GB200ADA over the four-day event being organised by the Phoenix Radio Group and Youth Hostels Amateur Radio Group (YHARG).
Amateur Radio is a public service and hobby regulated internationally by the International Telecommunications Union and licensed in the UK by Ofcom. It allows radio experimenters and enthusiasts to undertake two-way, person-to-person communications with like-minded people throughout the UK and around the world.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We wish Phoenix Radio Group and YHRG every success with this novel celebration. This is a very fitting way to remember the life of such an important historical figure, whose life is so associated with the Abbey. I look forward to seeing a flurry of worldwide activity this week.”
