Amateur radio hams are set to operate the first special event radio station from Dockyard this month in celebration of Dockyard's 200th birthday.

Over a two-day period, 30 radio fanatics will be stationed with their radio equipment at the Clocktower waiting for radio contact from the thousands of like-minded amateurs around the world who have been invited to participate.

Anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 calls are expected from those keen to acquire the coveted certificate sent out to all those who succeed in making radio contact with the station.

President of the Bermuda Amateur Radio Society, Mr. Tony Davis, claimed such certificates are extremely sought after and collected by radio buffs.

But, he said, the event hosted by the Bermuda Amateur Radio Society, will also be an exercise in promoting the Island.

Already invitations have been sent out to radio operators worldwide. If they succeed in making contact, local amateur radio operators manning the station will make sure they hear all about Bermuda.

"We will definitely be promoting the Island,'' Mr. Davis said. "We'll chat it up a bit and tell them about the weather if it's good. If it's not we'll lie a bit.'' Special event stations, he said, were organised from time to time by amateur radio societies that wished to promote a special event.

So far the event which is slated to take place on May 20 and 21 between 9 a.m.

and 5 p.m., has been widely promoted in amateur radio magazines in the United States and United Kingdom.

Another aim of the 45-strong society, which features a number of women radio operators among its ranks, said Mr. Davis, is to promote the hobby and encourage young people to get involved.

And in spite of the recent leaps and strides in telecommunications, he claimed the old-style radio transmissions would never go out of style.

"Amateur radio will never be made obsolete by computers,'' he said. "There will always be a need for radio communication.'' During the last major power cut, he said, amateur radio operators were busy exchanging information.

Even Government has recognised their importance by putting a member of the society on the Emergency Measures Organisation board, he said.

Interested members of the public can watch the hams in action by visiting the Clocktower this weekend.

There will also be demonstrations of amateur radio communications via satellite and a display of old amateur radio equipment, photographs and memorabilia dating from the early days of wireless telecommunication in Bermuda.