Would this be viable? Airports on the Air?

[Granite Monolith]

Forgive me if this is the wrong forum.

I'm a radio amateur operator and have had an idea in my head for sometime, but not entirely sure if it would work.

Ham radio has various awards you can go after. For example Islands on the Air, Summits on the Air, Castles and Stately Homes on the Air, Lighthouse/Lightships on the Air etc. Generally, any radio ham or listener interested in the above, participates trying to contact or log as many of these "on the air" stations as possible.

Currently, all the awards are well represented, but i was thinking of starting a new ham radio award - Airports on the Air. Don't be alarmed! With the exception of Islands on the Air, you do not have to actually be in an airport/airfield for Airports on the Air. (you have to be on island to participate in IOTA). Similarly, when taking part in CASHOTA (Castles and Stately Homes On the Air), you do not need to be present in the building - you can set up your radio equipment within a vicinity of said building, ie a nearby field. Same with Lighthouses - you need not be in one, just nearby one to participate.

So, after that inane rambling, is it viable to have an award named Airports on the Air? It would/could be an international radio award. You set up radio gear as near an airport/airfield as possible, taking into account antenna heights for departing/arriving a/c. A 30ft aerial 1 mile away from the airport/airfield surely wouldn't be a hazard to an a/c? Also, with a power output of between 100 - 400 watts PEP (on HF), i don't suspect any malfunctions will occur with ATC ops.

The radio exchange between ham radio ops could involve signal report followed by the 4-letter ICAO code.

If anyone gets what i'm angling at, i'd appreciate your comments.

[Cpt_Pugwash]

Providing an operator stayed within the BR.68 provisions regarding proximity to airfields (you've already mentioned the main one), I don't see a problem with this. Could be quite a challenging format for some of the more remote airfields/strips.

PW

[Granite Monolith]

Thanks for reply.

Where i stay both GLA and EDI would be very easy to operate from. A lot of scope for setting up the radio gear in nearby fields, but still close enough to the airport etc..

Haven't a clue how Heathrow, Gatwick, JFK, KLAX would fair. Small aerodromes might not be that difficult either - usually always some kind of area nearby where a station could transmit from..

Hmm..will give it some more thought and probably post on the relevant, well read ham radio websites/forums - see if the idea is a real possibilty or not. I'd be "up for it", but not sure if it would gather pace ..

Cheers anyway...

[Albert Square]

In view of the current security issues around airports, would the police view it as suspicious? It's a good idea and a harmless activity, but you can't drive your car in front of a terminal now.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I used to run a 2m handheld whilst working at Heathrow Tower, but never tried HF. The "take-off(!)" from the top floor was amazing!!
I'd be keen to put a few aerodromes on the air as I visit a good number and have recently acquired an FT857.

Bren McCartney G4DYO

[vespasia]

Good luck to you all, but if you're setting up radios in fields near airports don't be surprised if you get a visit from the boys in blue. Given the current security situation it might be worth giving them a courtesy call to let them know exactly what you're doing first! Fellas ( or ladies ) with backpacks and electronic equipment close to the approach/climbout tend to make people jittery!

[Fletchers Left Boot]

Wasn't there once a station at LATCC? Would that count?! It is an ATC unit after all....

Using similar criteria to DXCC, would you not have to operate within the airport boundary for it to 'count'? In which case even if I was to operate from CATC, it wouldnt count as EGHH...