Welcome to the Lothians Radio Society

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A 2017 replica edition of the VHF/UHF DX Book is now available free online. (Info from GM4BYF).

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'The VHF/UHF DX Book' was written in the early to mid-1990s by a team of experienced VHF/UHF DXers and equipment developers, in an effort to pass on our knowledge and stimulate further developments. But eventually the book went out of print, and information of lasting value became trapped on the printed pages.
To keep that information alive for future generations of VHF/UHF DXers, a digital replica of the Second Printing (1995) has now been released as a free download, by kind permission of the copyright owner TRPublishing and its proprietor Trevor Preece.

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The meeting of the LRS on 25th January 2017 was a talk on "How Theo Williamson's Amplifier Changed the Sound of Music" which was given by Prof Joe McGeough (above), a former Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.

Photo courtesy Science Museum, London

The Williamson amplifier refers to a type of valve audio amplifier whose circuit design used the same principles as a design published by Theo Williamson of Edinburgh in 1947. He proposed the standard which became generally accepted as the target figure for high-quality audio power amplifiers - for less than 0.1% total harmonic distortion at full rated power output. The amplifier was one of many achievements by Williamson who failed to gain a degree at Edinburgh University by his inability to pass his Maths-1 exam after four attempts!  Click for Full Report.

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It is with great sadness that we record the passing of LRS member Vic Imamura JA5VQ / MM0JVQ at the age of 74 on 8th January 2017 in Japan. Vic and XYL Keiko JG5JUS came to Edinburgh for some months every summer for a number of years, living in a flat in Morningside and attending LRS meetings and the annual barbecue. Vic was an outstanding DXer with a magnificent station / antenna farm. He gave a lecture on Amateur Radio in Japan on 12th September 2012. Click for report.

 Vic and Keiko at an LRS BBQ.

 

 Vic at his DX station back in JA.

 

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The annual LRS Video Evening was presented by Peter Dick GM4DTH on 11th January 2017 at the Edinburgh Video Society, and was enjoyed by all present.

Before the main feature, The Dish, Pete GM4BYF: gave a very useful description of the radio communications used for the Lunar Landing including the role of the Parkes Dish.

 

The Dish is a warm-hearted and hilarious comedy of what the world didn't see when in 1969 the Apollo 11 astronauts were preparing to walk on the moon. A huge satellite dish outside an Australian sheep farming town had been chosen to beam the live footage globally. Then, at the last minute, technical problems occurred and gale-force winds approached! 

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Mike MM0MLB, Kay GM6KAY & OM Pete GM4BYF, Marwyn XYL-GM8OTI, Andy MM0FMF

The LRS 2016 Christmas Curry was held on Wednesday 14th December at the Himalaya Tandoori Restaurant at Bruntsfield Place. There was a turnout of 15 for a very merry evening. 

Peter GM4DTH, Tommy GM4DCL, Roy GM3SRV

Click for Full Report with more photos.

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The 1921 transmitter in Greenwich CT

courtesy Scotsman.

Scottish RSGB Board member Len Paget  GM0ONX and Jason O'Neil GM7VSB recreated the first reception at Ardrossan in 1921 of a transatlantic transmission from the USA by Paul Godley in Greenwich, CT. Click for full story.

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At the meeting of the LRS on 23rd November 2016 Malcolm Hamilton GM3TAL talked about 'Valves, Tubes and Bottles'. and invited members to tell of their own favourite valves. 

The development of the thermionic valve drove the advance of radio and electronics in the last century. Despite the stunning achievements of silicon device technology, valves are still the preferred solution for some challenging applications in amateur and professional radio systems, especially in transmitters.

A selection of the valves brought by members.

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GMRT speakers: Stuart G8CYW, John G4BAO, Pete GM4BYF, morning chair John GM8OTI, Sam G4DDK

GMRT-2016, the Scottish Microwave Round Table, was held on Saturday 12th November at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, organized by the Lothians Radio Society. There was a turnout of about 45 for an excellent program of talks, with refreshments and lunch as well as an equipment test facility, a constructors contest and microwave components and surplus items for sale. In the evening there was a dinner at the nearby Kingswood Hotel with musical entertainment provided by the world-famous Microwave Trio. Click for photos on GMRT-2016 website.

Constructors Contest winner Mark GM4ISM and judge David GM4ZNX

  1. 9 Nov 2016 RAYNET FEEDNET Emergency Communications System - Charlie Duncan GM6MUZ, Stan Frey GM8ZQY
  2. 26 Oct 2016 - Aerial Photography - James Gentles GM4WZP
  3. 19 Oct 2016 - LRS Surplus Equipment Sale
  4. 15 Oct 2016 - JOTA - Jamboree On The Air at Bonaly Scout Camp