About our club

Background

THE MANCHESTER WIRELESS SOCIETY
Formed in February 1911 as "5MS", It is one of the oldest surviving radio societies in the world and recognized nationally as the second oldest in the UK. The club has also held the call signs 2FZ and 2ZZ
After the birth of amateur radio in this country and as time progressed, 5MS was looked upon as a leading voice in amateur radio around the U.K. When amateurs decided that it was time amateurs had some representation in government, 5MS (which was taking on amateur cause's nationally) was regarded by most UK amateurs as the obvious choice,
In mid1922 5MS formed the British Wireless Relay League 2ZZ (BWRL)
This was the UK's first national society and was set up to assist amateurs nationaly and promote amateur wireless telegraphy.
The following item was later published in "Wireless world and radio review" August 1922 page 697, Stating that
"Y.W.P. Evans (5MT) of the Manchester wireless society had obtained permission from the post master general to set up the British wireless relay league". The purpose of the B.W.R.L. was to encourage interest in amateur transmissions to provide a UK national organisation and for a further series of transatlantic test.
The B.W.R.L. proved so popular with leading amateur cause's
it held it first meeting in January 1923.

Despite all this " Manchester wireless society" was over looked as the national society in favour of the very much newer "London Wireless club" Because of its (then) closer proximity and influential ties within the capital. "London Wireless club" later known as the "London wireless society".
Worried that G5MS had again took the initiative and started the countries first national society (BWRL) on behalf of the countries amateurs. The L.W.S. again proposed another name change in October1922 to" The Radio society of Great Britain" and confirmed the change in 1923 at the A.G.M. Which incidentally was held at the Waldorf hotel. The newly named RSGB noted it's desire to be associated with the very popular B.W.R.L.
Yet again, another name change on the 22nd July 1926 to become
"The Incorporated Radio Society of Great Britain"
which is now known as "The R.S.G.B. Ltd."
The British Wireless Relay League 2ZZ
was finally incorporated into the T and R section of the RSGB

Meeting times

Every Monday eve from 19:00 until 21:30

Contact details

Address

The Heathfield Resource Centre
Mitchell street, Newton Heath, Manchester, M40 1LF