Mike Silver G0ATR, states--
Computers are playing a greater role in radio apart from the logging of people we speak to in a database. They allow us to experiment with different modes of communication allowing contact with space stations and sending emails by radio around the world.
Club History
An amateur radio society affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain, the LRS&CC looks to a Mr. J.T. Clarke as the foundation for their present day club. Mr. Clarke in 1909, created a wireless transmitter and receiver which came to be known as the 'Birstall Lighthouse.'
The lighthouse was constructed of a 40 ft. wooden tower, which carried the aerials and two platforms capable of holding more than a dozen people. Located in Park Road, the initial spark transmission was sent out from Birstall in 1910. The signal travelled eight miles to Clarendon Park Road and the success of the transmission reputedly gave the Birstall Lighthouse the status of being the first radio station in Leicester.
Sometime between 1912-1913, a millinery shop in Churchgate, Leicester, would become the first base for the initial formation of the Leicester Radio Society. The shop was owned by a Mrs. Mays, whose husband Sam enjoyed experimenting in communications along with his colleagues Mr. Cyril Atkinson A.I.R.E & Mr. Joe Pallett. Mrs. Mays granted permission to her husband for the use of the upstairs room for experiments. It wasn't long before other interested people were attracted and Sam created, 'Mays of Churchgate.'
The Leicester Radio Club was in its initial stages and it is believed that in 1912, the magazine - the 'Model Engineer,' carried a photograph and article on the newly formed Leicester Radio Society.
The Club's first President was believed to have been Mr. Cyril Atkinson himself, with the job of Secretary going to Mr. Joe Pallett. The outbreak of World War I saw a required cease of operations and also saw Mr. Pallet take up a radio operator position with the Merchant Navy.
In March of 1919, the ban on radio operations had still not been lifted and Marconi's, 'Wireless World,' came to amateur radio's aid by stating that wireless telegraphy might not have existed at all had it not been for the amateur radio enthusiast. Therefore, surely the government was mistaken to insist on further restrictions? Clubs soon began their activities again with the Leicester Radio Society being among them
