City of Bristol RSGB Group

G6YB

The present Group dates back to 1931, but its predecessor goes back to 1913 when it was called the Bristol Wireless Association. Apart from brief interruptions for war, it has remained in being until the present day.  It has met at various venues, the Half Moon in Stoke's Croft, Carwardine's restaurant, the Royal Fort and the Small Lecture Theatre at the University of Bristol - to name but a few.

The fortunes of the Group have waxed and waned, as is the case with all organisations - the most memorable happenings being the winning of NFD three times in a row in the early Fifties and the still talked about National Convention, which was held here in Bristol. However, probably the most enduring event for which the Bristol RSGB Group is known is the Longleat Rally. For  45 years the Group organised and ran this very popular rally at Longleat House.

In 1997 the Group helped in a small way with special event station GB5ØØJC celebrating John Cabot and the Matthew. As a spin-off from this it provided some of the equipment used for the historic first amateur radio transmission by HM the Queen in 1997. To help encourage new blood into the hobby the Group continues to fund amateur radio licence courses currently held in Bath under the expert guidance of Steve Hartley, GØFUW. So the Bristol RSGB Group has a long history, of which it can justifiably be proud.

A Short History of the Bristol Section of the RSGB

Click here for the above and exactly what it says, courtesy of Andy Cowley, M1EBV. A fascinating selection of historical material: photographs, Club activities of old, National Field Day in the post-war years, QSL cards of Bristol stations over the years and much more besides. A website in itself.