Scottish Charity number SC045038
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LRS Messages of the Day
Wed 28 Jan – LRS – 8:00pm at BHH library – ALMA (Atacama Large mm Array) – A Radio Observatory in Chile – The Trials and Tribulations of working at greater than 100 GHz – Bill Dent GM8RBT (Retired System Astronomer at ALMA).
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 25 Feb 2026 – 8pm at BHH – Digital Voice Modes by Allister Watson GM7RYR.
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Wed 11 Feb 8:00pm at BHH – LRS Quiz Evening. How much have you learned on your Amateur Radio journey and how much has been forgotten? (Teams of 4, so there is plenty of space to hide.) Brian Howie GM4DIJ @ James Gentles GM4WZP.
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Wed 28 Jan – LRS 8:00pm in BHH library – ALMA (Atacama Large mm Array) – A Radio Observatory in Chile – Trials and Tribulations of working at greater than 100 GHz by Bill Dent GM8RBT.
Bill will talk about the ALMA radio observatory in Chile. This is an array of 66 dishes operating together at frequencies of 30-1000GHz in the Atacama desert, one of the driest places on earth. He will describe the site, some of the technical challenges of observing at >100GHz, and show some of the astronomical results. This is currently the most powerful radio telescope on Earth. It comprises a total of 66 antennas. Bill is retired from System Astronomer at ALMA.
RECENT MEETINGS
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14 Jan 2026 – LRS Video Night 2026.
The Video Night 2026 was presented by Colin Murray GM4EAU in the… Read more
RALLIES AND OTHER EVENTS
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Sun 12 April 2026 – Norbreck (Blackpool) Rally
Pete GM4BYF confirms that parking at the rear of the Norbreck Hotel will be free provided that car owners register on the tablet provided within the convention.
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Saturday 28th March 2026 – 27th ANNUAL GMDX CONVENTION & DINNER
The 27th Annual GMDX Convention & Dinner will be held on Saturday 28th March 2026 at the King Robert Hotel, Stirling, FK7 0LJ.
A link to the Convention Programme is below, along with the booking form. Please use the instructions on the booking form, or visit the GMDX website link below to secure your booking: https://gmdx.org.uk/27th-annual-gmdx-convention-dinner/ It would be very much appreciated if you could book as soon as possible. See you there! Thanks & 73. Gordon, MM0GOR GMDX SecretaryGMDX Convention Programme 27th March 2026
CONTEST CALENDAR
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2026 RSGB Contest Rules published 20 Dec 2025:
2m May contest back to old slot.
70cm and 23cm 24hours again for VHF NFD.
Bonuses rather than multipliers (Post code etc) retained.https://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rul
es/26rules/frameindex.html Tnx Brian GM4DIJ.
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The LRS operates GM3HAM/P from a great site near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway.
5-6 July 2025 – VHF NFD – see report in About LRS – Contest / Portable.
(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, 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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20 Jan 2026 – Powerful X-Class Solar Flare causes Aurora in Scotland
Aurora from Dyke, Moray. Peter GM4DTH reports that an X1.9 flare and an associated CME were responsible for the events
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8 Jan – Strange Data Transmission on Medium Wave Band.
Brian Howie GM4DIJ reports: “I’ve come across a high-speed RTTY-sounding signal on the Medium Wave Band on 570kHz . I can
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Sept-Oct 2026 – DXpedition to Colombia by Norman MM0BMG
Following last year’s event. Norman is organizing another DXpedition to Colombia in the autumn of 2026. Norman can now confirm
2. SILENT KEYS
There are no current silent key notifications. Click on the heading to see the silent key archive.
3. ITEMS FOR SALE
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17 Jan 2026 – Items for Sale by Norman GM1CNH / MM0BMG
Equipment for sale v2025-08-17 GM1CNH Equipment Sale Updated: 17 August 2025 Alinco HF Mobile Whip Antenna 2.7 m mobile whip;
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17 Jan 2026 – Please note: all unsold items offered by Dave-6 GM6KGZ have now been removed from this website at his request. Look out for any new items that may appear!
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22 Feb 2025 – Triangular Mast 15m FREE to Pick up
Sat 22 Feb 2025 – 15m Tower : dismantled 2 sections x 7m triangular 0.5m. FREE to pick-up from Tom
Lothians Radio Society activities – latest reports
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11 May 2011 – RAYNET by Charlie GM6MUZ
At the Lothians Radio Society meeting on 11th May 2011 Charlie Duncan GM6MUZ talked about the activities of the Lothians RAYNET Group, of
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27 Apr 2011 – R1155 / T1154 Restoration by Ian GM0UHC
Ian Ropper GM0UHC drew an attendance of 24 on 27th April for his talk on the restoration of the classic
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19 Apr 2011 – MOC Goudie Lecture – Defending the Forth 1914-1945
LRS Members are invited to attend the Goudie Lecture “Defending the Forth 1914-45” by Geoffrey Stell, at the Museum of
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10 Apr 2011 – Cockenzie Quaich Presented to LRS at Norbreck Rally
At least ten members of the Lothians Radio Society attended the Norbreck Rally in Blackpool on 10 April 2011. Thanks
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Summits On The Air – UHF Fun Day – 27 March 2011
On Sunday 27 March Summits On The Air (SOTA) enthusiasts organised an informal “UHF fun day” with the aim of
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Report – GM8OTI on 50 MHz UKAC
LRS Chairman John GM8OTI had a go at the RSGB 50 MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday evening, 22nd March.
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13 Apr 2011 – LRS Spring Junk Sale
The Lothians Spring Junk Sale was held on Wednesday, April 13th at St Fillans Church Hall. L-R: Norrie GM1CNH auctions
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23 Mar 2011 – Operating VP8AQA from Antarctica
At the LRS meeting on 23rd March 2010 Dave Burke GM6SZJ talked about “Operating VP8AQA from Faraday Base, Antarctica” and showed many slides
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Japan Earthquake – Emergency HF Frequencies to Avoid
Lothians RAYNET has advised us of the following: HF frequencies are now known to be in use by Japanese amateurs
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Congratulations to Vic GM3OWU.
Congratulations to LRS member Vic Stewart GM3OWU who received his licence exactly 50 years ago and has remained active on
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Foundation Level Licence Examination at Livingston on 12th April 2011
The Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society LaDARS will be holding a foundation level licence examination at the Crofthead Farm Community
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9 Mar 2011 – Beginner’s Guide to 23cm & 70cm – Ray James GM4CXM
Ray James GM4CXM from Bearsden presented a very interesting and comprehensive talk, “A Beginner’s Guide to DXing & Contesting on