Chapter 7 - Another Royal Meeting and a New Decade (1979-1980)

The highlight of 1979 was in October when the Society had the honour of meeting their most illustrious Honorary Member H.M. King Hussein of Jordan JY1. About fifty of the Club's members together with a number of wives and friends met the King in the Harrow Civic Centre at a reception kindly arranged by the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr. Derek Rouse, in the Mayor's Parlour. The Harrow Observer covered the proceedings and several interesting photos are now in the Club's possession and in members' shacks. One of these was also published in the Region 19 Club News section of the January 1980 issue of "Radio Communication", together with a short write-up.

The photo shows King Hussein with some of the Club members and the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow . From left to right: Bill Corsham G2UV; Norman Joly G3FNJ; Mayoress of Harrow; Mayor of Harrow; King Hussein JY1; Geoff Hodges G3KRT; Chris Friel G4AUF; Don Nappin G3MLS; Maynard DeBorde G4LKO
The photo shows King Hussein with some of the Club members and the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow . From left to right: Bill Corsham G2UV; Norman Joly G3FNJ; Mayoress of Harrow; Mayor of Harrow; King Hussein JY1; Geoff Hodges G3KRT; Chris Friel G4AUF; Don Nappin G3MLS; Maynard DeBorde G4LKO

The Mayoress, Bill Corsham, G2UV, HM King Hussein, JY1 and Chris Friel, G4AUF
The Mayoress, Bill Corsham, G2UV, HM King Hussein, JY1 and Chris Friel, G4AUF

HM King Hussein, JY1 taking to our group
HM King Hussein, JY1 taking to our group

The visit was reported in the local paper:

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Shortly after this the Society was notified by H.M.'s representative that he had made a gift of several items of new amateur radio equipment to the Club and that these were to be delivered by a well-known dealer. Among other things, the equipment included a Drake TR7 transceiver complete with power supplies and ancillary items. The equipment duly arrived and was the Club's main station and used regularly for contests and other such field activities. It was also available for use by licensed members on informal meeting nights.

The Drake radio station generously donated by HM King Hussein, JY1
The Drake radio station generously donated by HM King Hussein, JY1


In July 1980, a Multi-Club DF Hunt took place organised by the Verulam Radio Club of St. Albans. Seven teams took part representing four local radio clubs including the RSH. The "Fox" was Derek, G3LSY, hidden on Bricket Wood Common. The fastest time to locate him was 30 minutes, the second and third teams coming in after an hour. The Society's top team, Mike G4FBK and Chris G4AUF, finished a creditable third.


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