The light from the lantern turret built on St Nicholas's church, Blakeney has beamed out since the late 15th century and it has become known as "Blakeney Mariners Light" over the years. BDXG members once again activated GB2BML as they have since 2003 as it joined with the 450+ other participants in the ILLW 2010 weekend of the 21st and 22nd of August.

This event has a special place in the hearts of the group being the SES that led to BDXG's formation in 2004 and it is always popular among the membership. Over the weekend 20+ members either came and operated or at least attended a barbecue on Saturday night which was also a surprise celebration for Ken M6KAH's 65th birthday later in the week. At times we had 4 stations operational at the same time, with dedicated VHF, LF and HF setups along with a 30m CW station QRV and we had a constant stream of stations wanting to work us. Contacts were made with all six continents and Antarctica, on the Sunday morning we had a pileup of Hawaiian stations plus we had contacts with New Zealand and the North Cook islands among them. In fact we made over 720 QSOs even though large periods of the weekend were set aside for social activities plus some equipment and software training.

On the weekend of the 24th and 25th of July BDXG members gave the club’s SCC (Short Contest Call) of G2B its first airing of the year in the RSGB IOTA contest. Unfortunately being located in the far from rare Mainland England EU-005 we are never going to be a sought after multiplier, so posting a magnificent score was always going to be hard if not impossible.

It was intended that our 2010 activity would be used as a test for a different type of LF antenna to use in the RSGB SSB Field Day Contest something the club has a feasible chance of winning in early September. We obviously try to do our best in any contest but you have to be realistic when up against the many rare islands around the world, England doesn't come very high on the list!

About a month prior to the 2010 AGM on 10th June, we received the sad news that Dave Edwards MØCNP was stepping down as BDXG QSL manager although we didn't announce anything until after that meeting.

Dave was one of the 5 founder members of the Bittern DX Group in February 2004, he has been the group's QSL manager since its formation. We know this decision hasn't been taken lightly, but with David’s own limited mobility deteriorating and involved with his wife Claire’s care, things have become more difficult for them both. I understand more than most that your own quality of life must become your priority, with this in mind he has decided to retire from the position.

BDXG will always be greatly indebted to him, not only for the dedication and hardwork to the job as Group QSL Manager but we mustn't forget his time serving as a committee member. He was the main instigator and chief organiser for the first major SES which launched and BDXG put on the map, that being GB2ØØCLB commemorating 200 years of the Cromer lifeboat in 2004. The amount of letter writing he undertook to gain the permissions necessary to operate such a prestigious callsign from this unusual location was indeed a staggering, but his doggedness paid off. To this day, it is one of the most memorable SES that I have had the honour to be involved with, operating for three days on the end of the Cromer pier in the lifeboat house.

Members gathered at the 2010 AGM which took place on 10th June at Pinewood Park IBC, near Bodham having brought the meeting forward to avoid it clashing with an 80m club championship contest. Don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with all the details just a quick summary of events.

Our chairman Steve G7VRK greeted the members present thanked them for their efforts during 2009, all in all quite a good year especially on the contest front. Two more BWBF trophies have been added to the club’s virtual trophy cabinet and he gave special mention to those involved, it was indeed a great effort.