Port Seton Junk Night
 

One of the better wee friendly rallies that turns up surprises from time to time.

This Friday - http://cpsarc.com/24th-annual-mini-r...h-august-2017/

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I might head along I have never been before but a Scottish event seems to be a rare occurrence. How big is the venue? Lots of vintage stuff?

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Thanks, Colin.

I'd thought it was later in the month. Should be there and I'm fairly well known (GM4ZNX)

Yes there are usually some stands specialising in vintage gear, amateur and broadcast. I remember one with a few hackers on his table. Prices are rather good too.

Venue size is a big modern sports hall. Say basketball pitch sized.

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Sounds good but I don't think I'll be able to make it after all. I'm looking for some test equipment so this could have been the place to get it. Maybe next year? Enjoy.

Cameron

EDIT - I forgot to ask do you know of any other events in Scotland?

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

For the past several years there's been quite a good doo at the Livingston club, but there wasn't this year as a larger gathering was arranged in Glasgow. Unfortunately it hit a weekend I had committed to being elsewhere. I used to go down for the G-QRP do in Rochdale and then Rishworth, but that's ended and I'm suffering radio rally withdrawal symptoms.

If you want test gear, look out for the Lothian Radio Society's twice yearly junk sales. They are VERY good for affordable test gear. Next one is probably in October, just off the bypass to the South of the city.

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I'll keep an eye out for those ones thanks for the information, it seems there is more going on here than I first thought.

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

There is usually a small but good rally in the summer down at Galashiels. Usually in the Volunteer Hall.

There are active clubs in most areas. One near Falkirk have their own building in the old munitions facility (now recycled as an industrial estate) at Throsk. The Livingston club meet in a community centre in south-west livi 'Croft Head Farm'

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I have some friends down in Galashiels I'll maybe go to that one. I'm not actually a ham so I couldn't really join a club, I would like to get a license but all the equipment is a bit expensive. I'll just show up and buy some junk!

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Not being a ham doesn't stop you joining a club. Once you're in, you might find the gear can be cheaper than you think!
See you at Gala..

73,

Colin.

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Yes I have been doing a bit of research, I could even start with a cheap handheld transceiver. Perhaps I will go for it at some point :thumbsup:

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

OK Cameron, then you *REALLY* ought to go to the junk sale tonight. The organisers run probably the most active training course and examination centre in the east of Scotland. It's a good chance to meet them and have a chat.

Clubs love new members, especially if they don't have a licence!

There's catering laid on tonight (ham rolls seem rather obvious...) I'll be there.

I'm easily spotted. Maroon shirt and a collection of scabby grazes on my nose from landing on the deck from a horse on Tuesday.

Port Seton Community centre
South Seton Park

South Seton Park is a road running parallel to the main road through port Seton. You have to go through a housing scheme area to get to it. The turning off the main road is by a church with a tower with wooden louvres on it, quite unusual.

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

It does sound good but the problem is I don't actually drive, I tried to find a lift but it was a bit short notice. I may be driving by next year though you never know, I need to learn at some point.

I think there may be a club in Falkirk so I might check that out. I'm thinking about buying a cheap baofeng and just listening for a while then trying to get my license.

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Contact a club first. The amateur radio population is shrinking and many clubs have a lot of gear bequeathed to them that they're just storing. The wiser ones lend it out to new members who are just getting going. 2m/70cm are rather quiet in central/eastern Scotland, so HF equipment may be more interesting.

I was at the junk sale and bought my first Hacker, a long/medium wave Herald in grey. £5 seems good, and a spare model 8 MK9 AVO, £35, oh and a large 3-pin bulgin mains connector, the cable part for 50p. Had a good blether.

Yes there was vintage stuff around.

An AR88
A ferranti woodie
A Pye bakelite job
That Hacker and a Roberts.
Lissen slow motion drives
Interstage transformers... Lissen and Ferranti
A double table filled with valves
A marine LF/MF rx
Military hedsets
A CT?? miniature scope, the one with the wire stand which swings over the front panel
Several bakelite AVOs at about a fiver each.
An Eddystone 770

Yup, plenty to keep people hereabouts happy.

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Sounds like it was good, it's probably a good thing I didn't go or I would have come back with loads of stuff! I'll try and get in touch with the Falkirk club but I don't know if they are still active. Thanks for your help.

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Not many people buying the junk I had on offer though - might have to flog it on here when I get round to taking a few photos and think up some prices. I ended up ditching the AR88 to a mate for a tenner - it was a bit of a train-wreck underneath (obviously repaired and modified by an economically-minded optimist) but had a very nice replacement mains transformer. I just didn't want to lug it home again!

Colin.

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I was impressed you'd got it up the stairs!

David

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

Can't take the credit - the lift did the work!

I got an Eddystone 1590 myself. Another chap was selling an old walkie-talkie, a PRC-6 I think, which went unsold. A couple of years ago I went home with a KW109 ATU at a knock-down price, which was nice.

Colin.

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I always try and get to the Galashiels rally. My wife's brother lives near there so sometimes we do a visit at the same time. It's a nice size, and is always packed with people and plenty of tables to look at. I suspect a lot go to meet up with old friends as much as to see what there is on offer. I think it's on in October so not long to wait. You can always catch the train down from Edinburgh now the new line is open.
Alan.

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

I missed this post! I could get the train but how would I get all the stuff I buy back? ;D I will maybe show face at this one since I know about it well in advance. In other news I have bought a cheap baofeng to listen into local ham radio and I have contacted a few clubs inquiring about the exam, I couldn't afford a 'proper' radio so thought I would just start with something cheap, maybe try working some satellites when I get my licence.

Cameron

Re: Port Seton Junk Night
 

That AR88 was a *Proper* radio, though it was an example that was going to take major work to get it going. I think Colin would have taken a low price rather than cart it home :-)

The Hacker Herald I bought produced the odd tump and crackle, but no radio stations. However, after a weekend bumping around in the back of the car, it's sprung to life. Sounds superb, but it's got those lockfit transistors staring at me... I know I've got to do them...

Cameron any proper club will be so pleased to see a new member that they'll lend you gear to get you on the air.

David