Biography

GB6NT,ILLW CALL FOR THE NAZE TOWER AT WALTON ON THE NAZE
HISTORY OF THE NAZE TOWER
For the last 297 years the headland has been dominated by the Naze Tower, built in 1720 by Trinity House long before lighthouses became commonplace. Its original purpose was to act as a marker for ships approaching the Harwich harbour, a duty which it still performs visually today, although without the beacon.
The Naze Tower is an 87 feet octagonal tower built in 1720 by Trinity House on the highest point of the headland some 120 feet above the high water mark, some 400 yards inland, it originally had a beacon on top to provide a landmark for mariners, there had been a wooden tower navigational aid before for many years on the same site.
An iron spiral staircase gives access to all eight floors of the tower, the top one giving access to the viewing platform at the very top of the tower.
Before the introduction of wireless telegraph, the Royal Navy used the tower as a semaphore signalling station when its ships went to sea during manoeuvres.
At the beginning of the 20th century radio masts were erected at the top of tower in an attempt at long range transmission, the tower has also played a part in the many wars since the 18th century.
In the Second World War it was used by the Royal Air Force and had a large radar scanner fitted on top.
For hundreds of years the Tower, known locally as ‘The Landmark’, it has been a symbol of Walton’s history, and as the Naze around it is gradually lost to the sea, it acts as a sign of what could be lost, as the sea continues to eat away at the cliffs, the tower is now only some 50 yards from the cliff edge.
Apparently over the years it has had quite a chequered history.
The Naze itself has also been the subject of much change, its constantly diminishing coastline is a constant cause of debate. Every year two metres fall into the sea, at the current rate the Tower would be lost to the waves within 20 years.
In the last few years the Tower, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, has been purchased by a local resident, refurbished inside and opened as a visitor attraction with a small museum, art gallery and of course the viewing platform at the very top, plus it now has a very nice café, with inside and outside seating, in the last year with the help of a government grant the outside has been completely refurbished, so it now probably looks as good as it did when it was first built.
Residents and visitors to the Naze can’t miss the grand exterior of the Tower, but until now it’s interior has remained a mystery for most. Now open daily, during the summer, from 10am you can find out about its history as you climb the steps to the observation platform at the very top with breathtaking views for miles around, for which there is a small charge.

Equipment

Equipment used for the activation
Yaesu FTdx1200, FT-897 (for data), FT-847 for VHF (if enough operators),
FT-891 for JT65
Antenna's 40 metre Doublet for HF, HF-360 for DATA and a Watson W-510 for VHF.
31' end fed for JT65.