The Lothians Radio Society operated an exhibition station GB3EIF for a number of years in the late-1960s - early-1970s to publicise Amateur Radio during the Edinburgh International Festival.
GB3EIF operating from the Heriot-Watt University in the late-1960s.
Prof. Arthur Bolton GM3BMI, Brian Flynn GM8BJF, David Guest GM3TFY, Vic Stewart GM3OWU.
GB3EIF in late 1960s. Text from newspaper article, possibly the Edinburgh Evening News. (It sounds as though it was written by an LRS member!):
During the three weeks of the Edinburgh International Festival (17 August – 7 September) the Lothians Radio Society operated for public demonstration an Amateur Radio Station with the call GB3EIF in the Mountbatten Building of the Heriot-Watt University. This was the first time such a station has appeared at the Festival and the venture proved to be a first-class publicity exercise. During the period that the station was open a large number of visitors, including licensed amateurs from home and abroad called at GB3EIF. Contacts with over 400 stations in 60 countries were achieved.
The Lothians Radio Society is naturally grateful to the University Authorities for their co-operation and to the numerous other supporting organizations including Eddystone Radio for the loan of an EA12 (receiver), and to (Prof. Arthur Bolton) GM3BMI (of the Heriot-Watt University) for loaning a Sommerkamp FL200B / FR100B (transmitter-receiver) installation.
The photograph shows Prof. Arthur Bolton GM3BMI, Brian Flynn GM8BJF and David Guest GM3TFY around the equipment, with Vic Stewart GM3OWU operating. (Photo by David Hill).
Some of the 20 amateur radio “hams” who will be in contact with around 500 operators all over the world from station GB3.EIF in the Mountbatten Building of the Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, go on the air yesterday afternoon. At the end of the first hour the staff, who are members of the Lothians Radio Society and the Heriot Watt Radio Society, had spoken to 20 foreigners, including a Russian. The demonstration and an exhibition of amateur radio equipment will be open in the Mountbatten Building on weekdays during the Festival. (“Scotsman” 20th August 1968, p.5)
L-R: SWL Edward Bain, Robin Newman GM3VZL, Alister J. Mitchell GM3UDL, SWL Murray Cooke.
GB3EIF in late 1960s - publicity poster by David Guest GM3TFY.
GB3EIF in 1969: The GB3EIF group of the Lothians Radio Society, on the occasion of the Edinburgh International Festival. Left to right, standing: Peter Bigam GM3SBS and Bill Marshall GM8BPL: seated: Brian Flynn GM8BJF and Vic Stewart GM3OWU. They worked on all bands and also ran RTTY and CC/TV. (Short Wave Magazine, Feb. 1970)