The following is reproduced with the kind permission of the Radio Society of Great Britain and originally appeared in the RSGB Bulletin of July 1951. Unfortunately, the quality of the old photographs is not the best but we hope you still enjoy them.
First Scottish Amateur Radio Exhibition
The first exclusively Amateur Radio Exhibition ever to be held in Scotland took place in the Music Hall, Aberdeen from May 24 to May 26, 1951. Organised by the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society - a Society in affiliation with the RSGB - the Exhibition gave many citizens of the Granite City their ſirst insight into the mysteries of Amateur Radio.
The Exhibition was opened by the Senior Baillie of Aberdeen - Baillie McGee - whose speech was recorded on a Scophony Baird machine.
The Exhibition Station
The Exhibition station, loaned by GM2FHH, was operated under the call sign of the Aberdeen Society GM3BSQ/A. The transmitter consisted of a Clapp VFO-807-P.P.PT15s, plate and screen modulated running at 100 watts, whilst the receiving equipment comprised an HRO, power pack, loudspeaker and monitoring oscilloscope built into a single unit. The scope was used to monitor incoming and outgoing transmissions. The aerial was a GM6IZ Special fed by 80-ohm co-ax cable. The station proved the greatest single attraction and at all times commanded a very interested audience.
GM3BSQ/A, the station of the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society in operation at the Aberdeen Amateur
Radio Exhibition. Left to right: GM3DWX, GM3ALZ and GM3EOJ.
Displays
On entering the Exhibition visitors were confronted with a 10-metre beam mounted on a tower, to which was attached a map and a flashing sign spelling out the words Amateur Radio.
Some of the prize winning exhibits displayed at the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Exhibition.
Other exhibits included a two-way duplex VHF telephone system operating in the 420 Mc/s band; a radio-controlled model railway (which did some queer things when the Exhibition transmitter was operating); oscilloscopes which depicted speech wave forms and several items of sound recording and reproducing equipment.
A complete beginner's station, shown by GM3HGA, comprised a 20-watt C.C. transmitter, a BC-348 receiver and Class D wavemeter. Also on display was a 50-watt VFO transmitter and receiver both built by GM3DWX into an upright piano case.
Constructor's Competition
In the constructors competition first prize was won by GM3EOJ for a well made 150-watt rack-mounted transmitter. GM3ALB, who showed a 3-40 watt miniature VFO transmitter designed to operate ſrom mains or accumulators, won the second prize, and GM3HGA the third. The latter exhibited a 420 Mc/s long-lines transmitter using a pair of 8012s.
Just beſore the Exhibition closed a recording was made by all members oſ the Society then present. This has been sent to the U.S. in the hope that it will ſind a place in a future Voice of America amateur radio programme.
Although team spirit was responsible for the success of the event it is appropriate to record that had it not been for the special efforts of GM2FHH, GM3ALZ, GM3BCL and the Society's hard-working Secretary (George Jamieson) there would have been no Exhibition.
The Society owed much to Messrs. J. W. Anderson for the use of their facilities and for a donation of £10.
RSGB BULLETIN, JULY 1951.
Other Pictures From Our Archive
Above: General view of the Exhibition display area.
Above: A corner of the Exhibition room
Above: A closer view of the competition entries.