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Leicester Radio Society & Computer Club

G2AA - G3LRS - G6XRS - G5UM

History

Original research by Frank G4PDZ

In 1909 Mr J T Clarke constructed a wireless transmitter and receiver. To carry the aerials for this apparatus, he built a wooden tower about 40 feet high in Park Road, Birstall. The tower had 2 platforms capable of carrying in excess of a dozen people and was known to the local inhabitants as ‘The Birstall lighthouse.’

In 1910 a spark signal was transmitted from Birstall and was received in Orby Villas, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester, eight miles away. This was reputed to be the first radio station in Leicestershire.

The receiver consisted of iron filings in a glass tube called a ‘coherer’ and a large coil of wire on a cylinder connected to a telephone ear piece, later a type of crystal detector was used instead of the coherer.

Mr Clarke operated this equipment until 1913 when, through illness, he packed up and moved from the district.

In the 1912/1913 era, Mr Sam Mays, Mr Cyril Atkinson A.I.R.E and Mr Joe Pallett were experimenting with this new thing called communications, and it is reputed that during this period Mrs Mays had a millinery shop in Church Gate, Leicester. Mrs Mays allowed her husband Sammy to use an upstairs room for his experiments. Eventually, Sammy increased interest amongst others in the area and started ‘Mays of Church Gate.’ The foundation of the Leicester Radio Society had begun. As yet the proof has not been forwarded but it has been said that in the early part of 1912 a magazine called the Model Engineer carried an article and a photograph showing the newly formed Leicester Radio Society, who previously, were the Leicester Branch of the Society of Model Engineers.

The first known president was Mr Cyril Atkinson A.I.R.E. 2CZ with Mr. Joe Pallett 2WM as secretary. As with all amateur experimental stations, the Leicester Radio Society and all its members were required to cease operating in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War. Joe Pallett joined the merchant navy as a radio officer, he was attached to the Fleet Auxiliary No. 1. Transport Communications Branch.

In March of 1919 the government of the day had still not lifted the ban imposed on radio amateurs. In 1914, Marconi commented in ’Wireless World’ that wireless telegraphy, as a great world fact might not have existed at all, had it not have been for radio amateurs, therefore it was a mistaken policy of the government to restrict their activities further.

Marconi, Fleming and Eccles gave the news that clubs up and down the country were beginning to bestir themselves from their war time inactivates. The first to show life was the North Middlesex Wireless club, other clubs quick off the mark were the Three towns Wireless Club (Plymouth), The Leicester Radio Society and the Sheffield and District Wireless Society.

October 21st 1919 the Post Office (now Royal Mail) announced that informal authority could now be granted for the use of receiving apparatus. The use of a Thermionic valve was forbidden without the special authority of their Post Master General, a fee of 10 shillings (50 pence) was charged.

It wasn't until May 1920 that transmitting as well as receiving licences were issued. It is believed that Joe Pallett was one of the first radio amateurs to obtain a GPO (General Post Office) licence to transmit radio waves in Leicester in 1920, it is interesting to note that the power for his transmitter was supplied from a hand cranked generator.

In 1923, certain members of the Leicester Radio Society, headed by Joe Pallett, were approached by Desford Colliery. 
Mr E E Bramell, of the Colliery, required a special investigation team to carry out experiments with radio waves underground, with a view to providing communications between mining seams and the surface thereby ensuring greater safety in the coal mines.

Joe Pallett and Cyril Atkinson obtained two licences 2JR and 2JS for the Leicestershire Mines Radio Investigation committee with a limit of 10 watts on 440 metres. On November 3rd 1923 they tested a 2 valve C.W. transmitter lent by a Dr Poole and these experiments continued until well into 1925, for his part in the experiments Joe Pallett was offered a fellowship with the Royal Society of Arts.

Information gleaned from a 1924 call book reveals that there were fourteen Leicestershire licences listed as having British Experimental Transmitting Stations. Amongst them were Joe Pallett and The Leicester Mercury. The stations were strictly 'experimental' and applicants were compelled to show 'a line of experiment' before they had any hope of obtaining a call sign. Of the fourteen Leicestershire call signs listed in 1924, not one exists today, but some have been allocated several times.

Little information is available for the late 1920s or the early 1930s, it would appear the late Sammy Mays, originator of 'Mays of Church Gate,' was responsible for creating an interest in amateur radio for youngsters of the day. Many talked of the ability to pick up bargain spares to build their own equipment with the assistance of Mr Mays.

Membership of the Leicester Radio Society appeared to be restricted to professional gentlemen in the early 1930's, most were medical practitioners, solicitors and local businessmen. It is unknown whether this was due to the exclusive meeting place in a private room above Winns Oriental Cafe in Granby Street or whether these learned gentlemen selected the meeting place in order to deter the keen young element.

G2RO Bob Roberts was the secretary, other call signs of the day were G6VQ, G5VH, G6WU, G6GF and G6JQ.

The late Les Milnthorpe, G2FMO, was believed to be responsible for placing an advert in the local newspapers in 1935, seeking keen youngsters who were interested in electronics and radio. He was looking for new members to join a newly formed Leicester Amateur Radio Development Club, G3AWN Don Hoff and Ron G4JPO were amongst the early members of the club. Meetings were held in the upper rooms above 'Claricoates' on the corner of Saxby Street and London Road, sadly due to lack of funds, the development Club didn't last more than a year or so.

1939, with the outbreak of the second world war, officially brought about the closing down of all amateur radio stations, although many were permitted to retain their stations in order that they may act as unofficial ‘eavesdroppers’.

The Leicester Radio Society remained reasonably active during the war period, there were no active radio amateurs in the group, it would appear to be dominated at this time by individuals interested in 'steam' radio. They met in a chapel in Charles Street, opposite the AA Building.

In 1945 a group emerged under the name of the Leicester Ham Radio Society which was led by Ray Frisby G2CFC and Les Milnthorpe G2FMO meeting on a regular basis at that time in Ray Frisby’s office. Many of these were members of the group previously known as the Leicester Amateur Radio Development Group.

For a couple of years the two clubs went their individual ways. The ‘Ham’ Radio Society being the most active, attracting the more go-ahead of the local radio amateurs, however, in 1948 the group calling themselves the "Leicester Radio Society" affiliated the group to "The Television Society" and became known as the "Leicester Centre of the Television Society".

If anyone is able more information on the LRS history, please contact us.

British Amateur Television Club
Frank, G4PDZ, remembered. (ex Vice President)

Last updated: 20 August 2003

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