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Portishead Radio GKA
"The World's Most Famous Maritime Radio Station"
Welcome to the new Portishead Radio website.
This site will be updated and enhanced on a regular basis, with new images, information, and other historical documents when time permits.
You will find numerous photographs, audio and video files, and plenty of historical information about what was once the world's largest long-range maritime radio station, which at one time also featured the largest Morse code operating room in the world.
We hope you enjoy the site, and we look forward to hearing from you. We'd love to hear your comments, memories and suggestions!
Website Update
This website has been active for many years now, and has been paid for from personal funds.
Sadly, the price of renewal has increased dramatically, and unless further funding can be sourced, I may have to reduce the size of the site accordingly.
There is therefore an opportunity for a company or an individual to sponsor this site - we can provide advertising on all website pages and on our social media channels. If you are interested, please email us at info@portisheadradio.co.uk for more information.
GALLERY - BURNHAM-ON-SEA HERITAGE EXHIBITION, 25TH JULY 2026.
OUR HISTORY
From Devizes to Portishead
Through war and peace, the station provided vital links for mariners worldwide, assisting in safety of life at sea and providing valuable business and personal communication facilities.
This is our history.
NEWS & FEATURES
Discovering our Past
Uncover fascinating historical stories and events with our latest updates on the past.
Archive Photographs
A collection of photographs showing the station throughout its existence.
News and Forthcoming Events
The latest news and information about the station, with details of talks, events, exhibitions and much more.
A history of the Aeronautical and Gateway Services operated by the station.
The Aeronautical Radio & Gateway Service
The Social Scene
The staff Welfare Club and Sports Teams, along with the all-conquering Drama Club!
The Lighter Side
A selection of cartoons from Portishead's resident cartoonist Joe McCabe and others.
Transmitting Sites
Some photographs of the transmitting sites at Portishead, Rugby, and others.
The role of the station in the numerous high-profile yacht races and the leisure market.
High-Profile Yacht Races and the Leisure Market
Videos and audio recordings of Portishead Radio
Further Reading
Information about Portishead Radio-related books and publications which are still available.
Receiving Stations
THE LEGACY
Plans to commemorate the history of the station
Since the closure of the station in 2000, efforts have been made by former staff members to formally commemorate the station with the installation of a plaque and information board at the former site at Highbridge.
In addition, the local Heritage Group have been campaigning for a local museum, a section of which will be devoted to the history of the station.
Click on the button below to learn more
INFORMATION - PORTISHEAD RADIO BOOK
"Portishead Radio - A Friendly Voice on Many a Dark Night"
It has been brought to our attention that customers in the UK are having problems in ordering this book from Amazon. They have been contacted with a view to resolving this issue, caused by the book being held at their "International Fulfilment Centre" with addresses in the UK being rejected and an error message generated.
Hopefully this issue will be cleared in due course, but in the meantime the book can still be ordered via other online retailers such as Waterstones, and copies can also be found on eBay.
All content (c) Larry Bennett 2026.
Many images reproduced from BT Heritage & Archives and used under Creative Commons licence.