Andre's first QSL card as 5Z5KL in Kenya

At the meeting of the Lothians Radio Society on 11th April 2012 Andre Saunders GM3VLB talked about "Radioactivating East Africa in the 1960s/70s". Andre was accompanied by his wife, Veronica, who acted as projectionist. Report here.

Andre says: "The alternative title to my talk might be "From Scottish Crystals to Tanzanian Gemstones" - the 'Scottish Crystals' were the lumps of galena which allowed an 11-year old lad on the shores of Loch Lomond to detect the then Scottish Home Service 18 miles away, and eventually to become an active radio ham in Kenya, which had then just recently gained independence from its colonial masters. With my first licence - 5Z4KL - I became instantly 'rare DX', but when not looking for a "new one", there were unlimited opportunities  to operate /P and /M. To understand the reference to 'Tanzanian Gemstones', you'll just have to come to the talk! Veronica and I look forward to meeting up with old friends again on the 11th...Vy 73 de André, GM3VLB."

John GM8OTI and his homebrew 23cm & 13cm transverters and yagis

At the meeting of the LRS on 28th March 2012 LRS Past-President Dr. John Cooke GM8OTI talked about "Homebrew Microwave Construction". John is an avid SOTA operator and has designed and constructed all his lightweight portable equipment, progressively moving up in frequency band, now on 13cm. When first licensed in 1978 John wanted to get into microwaves. After returning to the hobby a few years ago he's finally got there. John wants to convince others that building microwave equipment is nowhere near as difficult as some people like to make it sound! Report in Meeting Reports.