Scottish Charity number SC045038
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LRS Messages of the Day:
Wed 11 Nov 2026 – 7:30PM – LRS Open Meeting – Need to book your place – The end of the 198kHz Radio 4 long wave service – Mark Hughes GM4ISM
LRS MEETINGS
LRS meetings are normally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month (except July and August) at 8:00pm at the Braid Hills Hotel, 134 Braid Road, EH10 6JD.
In July and August Pub Nights are held at 7:30pm at Wee Bennet’s Bar at Morningside Station, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. There are also occasional Wee Bennet’s evenings arranged during the main club season.
Most items are archived in Meeting Reports or Society Activities.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
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Wed 11 Nov 2026 – 7:30pm – Open Meeting – The End of the 198kHz Radio-4 Long Wave Service by Mark Hughes GM4ISM.
There is an intention that every year we have an open evening with a keynote speaker, to which guests of the society are very welcome to attend. Because these are likely to be attended by more people than usual, they will be held in a larger room, and at an earlier time. Members and guests will need to register their interest in attending so that all attendees can be accommodated.
This year the event is: The story of the Radio 4 Long Wave service on 200 and 198kHz by Mark Hughes GM4ISM
Mark Hughes GM4ISM will tell the story of the last 35 years of evolution of the BBC Long Wave service and a glimpse at the engineering challenges that kept him (in the technical specialist team) busy as they pushed elderly transmitters way beyond their design life. The inevitable was warded off for a long time to a point that with changes in technology and the ‘political’ and contractual environment, we ended up with the services ceasing this year.
Mark Hughes GM4ISM was a keen young radio ham (licensed at 14), and a career in Electrical Engineering seemed to fit. After graduating in Electrical Engineering at Warwick University he was recruited by BBC transmission. He worked extensively with antennas and transmitters, ending as team manager of the Forfar and Shetland teams before moving to a technical specialist team which started with four members and ended up with over thirty by the time he retired.
11 November 2026 in the Gathering Bar at the Braid Hills Hotel.
Note that the open event starts 30 minutes earlier than our usual talks: 19:00 for 19:30 start.
Please reserve your place through this link:
https://www.lothiansradiosocie
ty.com/open-event-registration/ Please remember to add your email address on the form so that you receive an acknowledgment which is effectively your ticket for the event.
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28 Oct 2026 – Blood Bikes Scotland by Phil Dodsworth & John Taylor GM3JRT
Blood Bikes Scotland (BBS) is a fully volunteer-run and donation-funded charity that provides a completely no cost courier service to 5 NHS Scotland Health Boards in Lothians, Borders, Fife, Central, and Tayside. BBS use both motorcycles and cars to move a variety of essential items 7 days a week, including: medicines and controlled drugs, tissue and blood samples, prescriptions, clerical and medical documents, medical equipments, and, occasionally, blood.
The alternative courier services cost the NHS precious funds and BBS has saved NHS Scotland over £450,000 in courier costs in the last 12 months.
Phil Dodsworth, a Trustee with BBS, will be giving a presentation all about BBS and how it functions. Our own Treasurer John GM4JRT also volunteers with BBS and will be on hand to answer any specific questions LRS members might have.
More information can be found on the Blood Bikes Scotland website: <https://bloodbikesscotland.
org/>28 Oct 2026 –
RALLIES AND OTHER EVENTS
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Sat 31 Oct 2026 – GMRT-2026 at MOC Burntisland & Dinner at Kingswood Hotel
The 2026 Scottish Microwave Round Table (GMRT-2026) will be held as usual at the Museum of Communication in Burntisland, followed by dinner at the nearby Kingswood Hotel. The panel of speakers is now complete. GMRT-2026 is now FULLY-BOOKED – all 50 places sold. WAITING LIST – Contact Colin GM4HWO. https://gmroundtable.org.uk/
CONTEST CALENDAR
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The LRS operates GM3HAM/P from a great site near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway.
(This photo by Andy MMØFMF / now GM4LLD, is in RSGB RadCom Sept 2025, p.80).
RSGB GB2RS NEWS
Every Sunday morning in the Edinburgh area at 09:30h from LRS member Peter Dick GM4DTH. 70.425MHz FM, 145.525MHz FM & 433.525MHz FM. Then call-in to Peter at 10:00h on 145.575MHz for local net. Several LRS members often there.
RADIO NEWS, RECENT MEETINGS, SILENT KEYS and FOR SALE / WANTED
Click on image or “read more” to open full article.
Send items to Alan GM3PSP:
webmaster@lothiansradiosociety.com
Items usually archived as News or Silent Keys in LRS Archive after 1 month.
1. RADIO NEWS ITEMS
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25 Oct 2026 – Galashiels Rally
LRS members visited the Gala Rally, enjoying the Storm Boelo winds on the way down. LRS attendees included Jack GM1CQC, Iain GM1MSS, Pete GM4BYF, Colin GM4EAU, Colin GM4HWO and Brian GM8BJF. Among the people present was our good friend Chris Tran GM3WOJ from Tain. Photos by Colin GM4HWO: Entrance to the rally in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels. The rally hall. The rally hall. Captain Birdseye. Bring & Buy Stall. Pete GM4BYF’s table. Chris GM3WOJ (all the way from Tain). Jack GM1CQC. LRS Secretary Iain GM1MSS & Colin GM4EAU. Brian…
2. RECENT MEETINGS
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28 Oct 2026 – Blood Bikers Scotland by Phil Dodsworth
Blood Bikers Scotland (BBS) is a fully volunteer-run and donation-funded charity that… Read more
3. SILENT KEYS
There are no current silent key notifications. Click on the heading to see the silent key archive.
4. ITEMS FOR SALE
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13 June 2026 Dell Monitor for sale by Andy GM4LLD.
Dell U2412M hi-res 1920 x 1200 LCD monitor Adjustable stand DisplayPort, DVI & VGA inputs 1920 x 1200 WUXGA resolution 4 port USB2 hub. Mains lead Very good condition, no screen blemishes. £35 Andy GM4LLD.
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28 June 2026 – Corsair CV450 modern PC PSU – for sale by Andy GM4LLD
Corsair CV450 modern PC PSU. Comes from my son’s PC as he has just updated with some new GPU that needs a bigger PSU. No box but clean and working. £20 Andy GM4LLD (ex-MM0FMF)
Lothians Radio Society activities – latest reports
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25 Jan 2017 – The Williamson Amplifier – Prof Joe McGeough
The meeting of the LRS on 25th January 2017 was a talk on “How Theo Williamson’s Amplifier Changed the Sound of Music” which was given by Prof Joe McGeough (above), a former Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Photo courtesy Science Museum, London The Williamson amplifier refers to a type of valve audio amplifier whose…
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8 Jan 2017 – Silent Key – Vic Imamura JA5VQ / MM0JVQ
It is with great sadness that we record the passing of LRS member Vic Imamura JA5VQ / MM0JVQ at the age of 74 on 8th January 2017 in Japan. Vic and XYL Keiko JG5JUS came to Edinburgh for some months every summer for a number of years, living in a flat in Morningside and attending LRS…
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11 Dec 2016 – RSGB Recreates First Transatlantic Radio Transmission at Ardrossan
The 1921 transmitter in Greenwich CT courtesy Scotsman. Scottish RSGB Board member Len Paget GM0ONX and Jason O’Neil GM7VSB recreated the first reception at Ardrossan in 1921 of a transatlantic transmission from the USA by Paul Godley in Greenwich, CT. Click for full story.
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11 Jan 2017 – Video Evening at ECVS – ‘The Dish’
The annual LRS Video Evening was presented by Peter Dick GM4DTH on 11th January 2017 at the Edinburgh Video Society, and was enjoyed by all present. Before the main feature, The Dish, Pete GM4BYF: gave a very useful description of the radio communications used for the Lunar Landing including the role of the Parkes Dish. The Dish…
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14 Dec 2016 – Christmas Curry at the Himalaya Tandoori
Mike MM0MLB, Kay GM6KAY & OM Pete GM4BYF, Marwyn XYL-GM8OTI, Andy MM0FMF The LRS 2016 Christmas Curry was held on Wednesday 14th December at the Himalaya Tandoori Restaurant at Bruntsfield Place. There was a turnout of 15 for a very merry evening. Peter GM4DTH, Tommy GM4DCL, Roy GM3SRV Click for Full Report with more photos.
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23 Nov 2016 – Valves, Tubes & Bottles – Malcolm Hamilton GM3TAL
At the meeting of the LRS on 23rd November 2016 Malcolm Hamilton GM3TAL talked about ‘Valves, Tubes and Bottles’. and invited members to tell of their own favourite valves. The development of the thermionic valve drove the advance of radio and electronics in the last century. Despite the stunning achievements of silicon device technology, valves are still…
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15 Oct 2016 – JOTA – Jamboree On The Air at Bonaly Scout Camp
Malcolm GM3TAL operating GB0BSS The Lothians Radio Society again operated in JOTA – Jamboree On The Air – from the Bonaly Scout Camp Site on Saturday 15th October 2016. Using the special-event callsign GB0BSS, the operators were John Cooke GM8OTI and Malcolm Hamilton GM3TAL. This year they were in the Training Room, which was a…
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9 Nov 2016 RAYNET FEEDNET Emergency Communications System – Charlie Duncan GM6MUZ, Stan Frey GM8ZQY
At the meeting of the LRS on 9th November 2016, Charlie Duncan of Lothians RAYNET and Stan Frey talked about the FEEDNET digital communications system employing the MESH data network that has been installed in the Firth of Forth area for use in emergency situations. A leading technical contributor to this project is LRS member Bernie McIntosh GM4WZG…
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26 Oct 2016 – Aerial Photography – James Gentles GM4WZP
James Gentles GM4WZP made a very welcome return to the LRS on 26th October to present Aerial Photography. In James’s last talk, on 23 January 2013, he described Kite Aerial Photography (click for report). Technology has advanced greatly in just 3 years, with drones now available to provide much greater flexibility and capability. Visit James’s website Gentles Limited…
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19 Oct 2016 – LRS Surplus Equipment Sale
LRS Secretary, Mike MM0MLB welcoming everyone. The LRS Autumn Surplus Equipment Sale and raffle was held on Wednesday 19th October 2016 at St Fillan’s Church, Buckstone Drive, Edinburgh 10. There was a good turnout of LRS members and from other clubs, including GM1SXV all the way from Glasgow. Some of the many items for sale. The highlight of…
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12 Nov 2016 – GMRT-2016 – Scottish Microwave Round Table at MoC
GMRT speakers: Stuart G8CYW, John G4BAO, Pete GM4BYF, morning chair John GM8OTI, Sam G4DDK GMRT-2016, the Scottish Microwave Round Table, was held on Saturday 12th November at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, organized by the Lothians Radio Society. There was a turnout of about 45 for an excellent program of talks, with refreshments and lunch as…
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12 Nov 2016 GMRT – Scottish Microwave Round Table at MoC
Alan GM0USI speaking at GMRT-2015 Registrations are now open for GMRT-2016, the Scottish Microwave Round Table on Saturday 12th November at the Museum of Communication in Burntisland. organised by the Lothians Radio Society There will be an excellent program of talks, lunch & refreshments and a dinner at the nearby Kingswood Hotel. Microwave components will be on…