EAST LOTHIAN RADIO CLUB RETURNS TO HOLYROOD FOR "HISTORIC ACTIVATION"

2.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st May 2009

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat and MSP for the South of Scotland, last week welcomed a return visit of the Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club (CPSARC) to Holyrood for an historic activation.

The Scottish Parliament was activated, and club members and other radio operators took the chance to link up with other radio operators throughout the globe during the two day weekend event organised to celebrate the Parliament's 10th birthday.

Jim Hume MSP, who has been a HAM radio operator for 6 years, said:

"Last year I was delighted to host a visit of the Radio Club to Parliament. The Secretary of the Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club, Bob Glasgow, and his members have over the years raised over £13,500 for the British Heart Foundation which is a huge amount of money. Bob and I have worked together over the last year in bringing the first ever activation to a Parliament.

"Amateur radio is an important communication tool in bringing together people of all ages and nationalities worldwide creating a shared comradeship, and amateur radio operatives or 'HAMS' have been the leaders in developing many of today's modern electronic and communications technology.

"The Scottish Parliament was therefore an excellent venue to host this groundbreaking communication event. It was also an opportunity to highlight the contribution CPSARC members have made to charity over the years."

Bob Glasgow, Secretary of CPSARC said:

"It was a fantastic honour for the Radio Club to be invited to take part in such an historical event and also to be the first radio amateurs to transmit from within the Scottish Parliament. The event created a massive interest worldwide with contacts made with other radio amateurs around Europe, the Middle East, America and as far away as Asia. Examples of countries contacted range from the UK, USA, Saudi Arabia and Japan."

Ends