The Founding of the Lothians (Amateur) Radio Society in November 1946
Searching of archival copies of the RSGB Bulletin from October 1946 onwards has revealed the following history of the founding of the LRS. The record is not complete, e.g. dates.
1. Prior to the founding of the LRS, Amateur Radio in the Lothians was organized by the RSGB in their Scotland “D” Area (Edinburgh and Midlothian etc). Meetings were held at the Chamber of Commerce, 25 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. In 1946 the RSGB A.R. (Area Representative) was J. (Jack) Wilson GM6XI, 52 Macdowall Road, Newington, Edinburgh 9. Edinburgh 42153.
2. The RSGB Bulletin Supplement for October 1946 carried the following report for “D” Area by GM6XI: “Meetings were resumed in September. It has been agreed to form a Lothians Amateur Radio Society and an announcement will be made in due course. Members welcome the nomination of 6JH (G. H. Hardie, GM6JH (Linlithgow) as C.R. (County Representative?) and 6LS (R. W. Bloxam (GM6LS) as T.R. (Town Representative?) Both are well fitted for these tasks. Local activity continues at a high level, some new calls will shortly be heard”. GM6XI.
3. The RSGB Bulletin for December 1946 (Vol. 22 No. 6) carried the following report by GM6XI: “The November Meeting (date not stated) was devoted to the formation of the new Lothians Amateur Radio Society. Mr. T. H. Nisbet was unanimously elected President and Mr. Geo Millar (GM3UM) Secretary. A fully representative committee has been nominated and an era of still greater progress can be anticipated. Five metre activity is growing. Please contact GM6SR (Mr. Syd Rowden) if interested”. GM6XI
George Millar GM3UM Jack Wilson GM6XI Syd Rowden GM6SR
(Unfortunately, no photograph of Mr. T. H. Nisbet has been found; apparently he did not hold a transmitting licence).
4. The RSGB Bulletin of February 1947 carried the following report by GM6XI: “Edinburgh. – members welcomed 6RG’s contribution to their recent discussion on 60 operation and await his return from W to hear his promised talk. The new committee are considering the 1947 programme, including Field Day arrangements. Activity on 60 is increasing, several new transmitters and receivers being on the stocks. 5YX, 2BD, 3BX and 3UM keep the CW DX flag flying”. GM6XI
5. The RSGB Bulletin of May 1947 included the following information about National Field Day 1947. In the Lothians and Edinburgh, Edinburgh has applied to operate in NFD using the following callsigns:
A. GM6JH/P – location: Field nr. The Pomathorn – Howgate Cross Roads.
B. GM6LS/P – location 1/1/2 miles South-east of Penicuik, Midlothian.
Operators were reminded that DBST (Double British Summer Time) would be in operation!
6. The RSGB Bulletin of September 1948 congratulated the LARS on its publication Radio Amateur News, describing it as a “racy publication”. (No copy available – the mind boggles)!
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The Lothians Radio Society became affiliated to the RSGB on 11th August 1953.
Thus the LRS has been affiliated to the RSGB for over 60 years, but incomplete records at HQ have resulted in a reluctance by the RSGB to acknowledge this in RadCom.
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Alan J. Masson GM3PSP, 10 June 2016.