Want to climb the antenna tower at Grimeton Radio Station?
World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station, about 10km east of Varberg, is a unique and well-preserved example of the technological advances made in the first half of the twentieth century, on which our modern wireless technology was built. In collaboration with Grimeton, we have reserved a time slot for myConf attendees who want to join a guided tower climb in the afternoon on May 27. There are only eight spots—first come, first served!
100 years of communication
Grimeton Radio Station was completed in December 1924 and almost immediately accounted for 95% of Swedish telegram traffic to the United States. Although it’s no longer in regular use the equipment has been maintained in operating condition, and in 2004, the site was designated a World Heritage Site. This is the best place in the world to experience and understand the evolution of wireless communications!
During World War II, the radio station in Grimeton was in a heightened state of alert. In addition to patrolling the area and erecting shelters, a lookout post was created high up in the first antenna tower. Through a narrow slit, the elevated guard could check for strange activity in the area and eliminate potential threats well in advance.
Exercise Hawk Eye—a guided tower climb
Accompanied by the wind and the occasional kestrel, participants of the guided tower climb can experience what it was like to go up to a high elevation for a risky mission. Exercise Hawk Eye, as it is called, is a dizzying 127-meter, high-altitude exercise in which your vision, strength and balance are put to the test.
You climb up one of the antenna towers in a small group with a certified guide, the climbing leader. You will be equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, and attached to the safety system throughout the activity (which is not something that the mast workers during the last century were afforded).
During the activity, you’ll hear more about the workers and their history. And the story of what happened to Håkan, one of the children who lived near the radio station and who one early morning a few decades ago decided to climb one of the towers with two hens to see if they could fly.
What? Exercise Hawk Eye, a guided tower climb at Grimeton. More info about the activity, and Grimeton, can be found here.
When? May 27 at 14:30, the activity takes approximately 3 hours.
Cost? 1000 SEK per person
How? If this sounds interesting, send us an email at myconf@factor10.com. There are a limited number of places, so first come, first served!