At the LRS meeting on 26th November 2014 Nick Henwood G3RWF talked about "From Dipoles to Hexbeams in African Locations". He started African DX-ing by getting the call sign 9L1NH in 1963 while on VSO in Sierra Leone. In the last nine years he has been on the air from Africa on 23 occasions.  He has almost always been solo, carrying all his gear with him. His talk was about getting lightweight but effective antennas up and working DX when you are on your own.

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Thanks to communications from George GM4COK / DU1GM in the Philippines, we entertained Eddie Valdez DU1EV, Past-President of the Philippines Amateur Radio Association and his XYL Karen DW1SMK to an informal dinner in the Toby Carvery in Corstorphine on Nov 6th. Several members of the LRS and Lothians RAYNET were present. Eddie told us about his DX activities and the work of PARA in coordinating relief work after recent hurricanes.

Karen DW1SMK, Eddie DU1EV, Vic GM3OWU, Brian GM4DIJ, Malcolm GM3TAL, Kay GM6KAY, Pete GM4BYF, Alan GM3PSP.

 

We are sad to report that Tom Simpson GM3BCD, MBE, secretary of the LRS in 1961-62, became a silent key on 25th October 2014. Tom was a Technical Subjects teacher at George Watson's College and along with John Hughes GM3LCP-SK, ran the school Radio Club in the 1950s-70s. A talented equipment constructor, he built a 150W AM transmitter, erected a 10m/15m cubical quad on the roof of the school and worked the DX at lunchtimes, to the entertainment of the members. Tom and John enabled more than 30 pupils, including your scribe, to gain their licences. Tom was awarded an MBE for 40 years voluntary service to Talking Books for the Blind.

Tom was buried privately on Monday 3rd November 2014 in Morningside Cemetery.

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At the meeting of the LRS on 12th November Mike Burgess MM0MLB presented "The Post Office Tower - the first 20 years", covering the time he spent there at the beginning of his career. This was a retrospective on a key part of London's local, national and international telephone network with a look at its organization, its people and its equipment.

 

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John GM8OTI and Alan GM3PSP operated GB0BSS in JOTA - Jamboree On The Air - from Bonaly Scout Camp for the third year running. Scouts from the 103rd Braid (Greenbank) and 114th Braid (Fairmilehead) troops participated. The Scouts were encouraged to speak into the microphone, giving their own information - name, age, troop - and asking questions of the Scouts at the stations they contacted.

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