Welcome to the Lothians Radio Society

8 Nov 2017 - 'Pirates - Offshore Radio 1964-1974 - ding-ding' - James Gentles GM4WZP

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

James Gentles GM4WZP gave a great talk on 'Pirates - Offshore Radio from 1964 to 1974, ding-ding!' at the meeting on 8th November 2017. He covered the history of the pirate radio stations located in ships around the British Isles, including the best-known, Radio Caroline which used its famous "ding-ding" jingle. They all disappeared after the BBC introduced Radio 1 in 1974 to cater for the pop audience, and re-named the existing stations Radios 2, 3 and 4. REPORT

Radio London

Sat 4 Nov 2017 - GMRT - Microwave Round Table at Museum of Communication

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

The GMRT speakers: Mark Hughes GM4ISM, Geoff Pike GI0GDP, Martin Hall GM8IEM (Session Chair), Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, David Anderson GM6BIG.

The 2017 Scottish Microwave Round Table was held on 4th November at the Museum of Communication in Burntisland followed by a dinner and musical entertainment at the Kingswood Hotel. Programme:

A 10GHz Home Station (Mark GM4ISM)

A High Quality 10GHz Beacon (David GM6BIG)

13cm SOTA (Andy MM0FMF & Jack GM4COX)

Replacement L.O. options for the DB6NT G2 Transverters (Geoff GI0GDP)

The GM round of the UK Microwave Group Projects Trophy was awarded to Kevin Avery G3AAF.

For full report and music video, go to GMRT website: 

http://www.gmroundtable.org.uk/  

Kevin Avery G3AAF received the constructors trophy from John Worsnop G4BAO.

25 Oct 2017 - Having fun on a shoestring - Tom Wylie GM4FDM

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

Well-known Scottish DXer Tom Wylie GM4FDM from Paisley returned to the Lothians on 25th October 2017 to talk on Having fun on a shoestring. He described how careful advance planning is essential for any DXpedition and how quite simple antennas can be very effective while saving on weight and complexity. Report

 Tom GM4FDM with Ronald PA3EWP in Dakar, Senegal in 2010. 

Wed 18 Oct 2017 - LRS Autumn Surplus Equipment Sale - St Fillans Church

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

The LRS Autumn Surplus Equipment Sale was held on 18 Oct at St Fillan's Church with a good turnout and almost everything sold. Full Report.  

Norrie GM1CNH was a happy raffle winner!

20 September 2017 - Silent Key - George Burt GM3OXX

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

George GM3OXX in his shack near Turriff in 2010. Photo by Alan GM3PSP.

We have heard with great sadness of the Silent Key at the age of 81 on 20th September of George Burt GM3OXX, formerly of Edinburgh, after a long illness. An outstanding constructor and QRP operator, he held the world 3cm record in 1976.

George's funeral was held at Warriston Crematorium on 6th October 2017. Nine Amateurs attended.

 George operating GM3OXX/P on 3cm in 1976.

A full Silent Key for GM3OXX  is in preparation. Please send any photos etc to Alan GM3PSP.

Click for full Silent Kay.

27 Sept 2017 - From Holyrood to Hollywood, a Technical Career in Motion Pictures with Kodak - Alan Masson GM3PSP

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

Alan Masson GM3PSP gave an autobiographical talk about his career in the Motion Picture Division at Kodak in the UK and the USA at the meeting of the LRS on 27th September 2017 at the Museum of Communication in Burntisland.  As well as his chemistry training, which was vital in film processing issues, his radio hobby was useful in projects with film sound tracks. Full Report.

Alan meets R2D2 

13 Sept 2017 - LRS Presidential Address 'Frequency Standards' by Brian Flynn GM8BJF

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

Brian Flynn GM8BJF gave his Presidential Address on the subject of 'Frequency (and Time) Standards' at the first meeting of the new club year on Wednesday 13th September 2017 at the Braid Hills Hotel. Click for Full Report.

2-3 Sept 2017 - RSGB 2m Trophy Contest at Gatehouse of Fleet

Details

Written by Alan GM3PSP

The GM3HAM/P contest group of the LRS took part in the RSGB 2m Trophy Contest from our usual site in the hills near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway. The main innovation was the use of a 2 x 17-element M2 beam providing high gain with good beamwidth. Rig: FT-736R + valve linear 400W. Entry: 

Valid QSOs: 239

Claimed points: 85552

Best DX: OZ1BEF at 851km.

Countries: G, GM, GI, GW, GU, F, ON, PA, DL & OZ

After a nice Saturday, the Sunday Wx was dreadful with 3in deep water in the Scout tent.  

Friday night dinner etc in the Masonic Arms - Pete GM4BYF, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH, Danny GM6CMQ, Mike GM4IGS and Norrie GM1CNH. On Saturday morning we were joined by Andy MM0FMF and on Sunday morning by Brian GM8BJF. REPORT.