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Written by Alan GM3PSP

Published: 20 August 2015

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The Lothians Radio Society GM3HAM/P, operating from our usual site near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway, was the leading station in Scotland and 2nd place overall in the Restricted section of VHF NFD 2015, winning the Cockenzie Quaich. (Photo taken on a previous occasion when we won it)! 

In addition we were 1st on 50MHz, 1st on 70MHz and 2nd on 144MHz, winning certificates for these bands.

BAND  QSOs PTS  BEST-DX  GRID  DIST      

50MHz  83   29,847  9H5MC  JM76cb  2515

70MHz  80   23,585  G5LK/P JO01qd    556

144MHz 161 51,470  F4HJC/P              808

432MHz  42 13,053  G5LK/P JO01qd    556 

Click for Full Report with Photos.

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Written by Alan GM3PSP

Published: 30 July 2015

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Iain Maconochie GM3GIG died on 19th July 2015 at the age of 94. He was an active member of the Lothians Radio Society in the 1950s and 60s. He was a keen constructor, believing that operators should enjoy and practise the technical side of the hobby rather than just being "black box" operators. During WWII he was a Radio Officer on Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and survived being torpedoed. His funeral at Oakvale Funeral Home and subsequent interment at Morningside Cemetery on 29th July were attended by Alan GM3PSP for the LRS. Tom Simpson GM3BCD and Sir Edward Appleton are buried nearby.

NFD 1955 at Loanhead. GM3GIG is in the back row, extreme right.

Full Silent Key

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Written by Alan GM3PSP

Published: 19 August 2015

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Congratulations to LRS member Brian Flynn GM8BJF who has just achieved his first QSO on 24GHz from Scotland to Wales. Report by Brian:

Yesterday Alan GM0USI and I went to Gatehouse of Fleet (IO74WV) and had contacts on 24 GHz with Tony G(W)4CBW in IO83HH near Prestatyn. Signals were 59 each way and we ended up working on FM. There appeared to be some type of "lift" on as we were able hear each other on open waveguide. Distance is 181 km.

We started off on 10 GHz to align the dishes and noticed that the signals there were very strong. On changing to 24 GHz Tony was immediately heard on SSB and I jumped in and worked him. We were both running about 1 W. I had my BSB dish and Alan had a 60 cm Gibartini Sat-tv offset. There are video and Pics taken by Alan on Dropbox at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ed3r3y583yq6gud/wetransfer-06965b.zip?dl=0

The Wx at GoF was very pleasant yesterday and it was possible to see dark layers over the Irish Sea that looked like ducts. It was the best Wx I have experienced there for years! 73s, Brian. GM8BJF.

NOTE: sounds like Brian could be a very valuable member of any microwave group, with his ability to SEE ducts! - psp.

Brian added that he had believed that this was the first ever GM-GW QSO on 24GHz. It was certainly not listed. Later it turned out that such a QSO had been made around 2000 but had not been officially claimed.

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Written by Alan GM3PSP

Published: 06 July 2015

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The Lothians Radio Society Contest Group operated GM3HAM/P in VHF NFD 2015 from our usual site near Gatehouse of Fleet. Conditions were nothing special, although 6m was well up on last year's poor score. The wx was "challenging" at times, especially the Friday night, but the event was enjoyed by all. We adjourned to the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse for dinner and lemonade on the Friday evening and had our own BBQ on-site on Saturday evening for the 2nd year running. 

Scores: 50 & 70 unchecked;

144 & 432 checked & submitted

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Full report with photos.