The Newbury Radio Rally & Boot Sale has been taking place every year since 1987.
It is organised and run by the Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) and attracts visitors from all over the country. This highly popular event provides the ideal venue for anyone interested in radio, electronics or computing. Themed around a ‘boot sale’ it offers the opportunity to buy and sell everything from the smallest components used for making equipment or projects, through to complete communication systems. Whether you want the very latest full featured transceiver from the world’s biggest manufacturers, or simply something second-hand at incredibly attractive prices, there are more than 100 stalls waiting to help you.
But buying or selling is not the only thing on offer, as there are other attractions too!
Each year NADARS provides it’s ‘Demonstration Marque’ where you will see live amateur radio stations in contact with amateurs all over the world using voice, Morse code and data communications. We have also had demonstrations of ‘Air Traffic Control’ radar systems where you can see in real time exactly what aircraft are flying over southern England.
For 2011 we may run our international contest station
again - NADARS is very successful at winning many contests. Come and see some of the contest team in action, complete with their impressive trailer mounted tower with contest antennas, great transceivers and contest logging software, etc!
In addition there has been a place where you could bring your own equipment and have it tested by very experienced engineers who give you a clear answer to just how well your transmitter or receiver is working (and even helping to make adjustments to improve it if possible!!).
Also, there have been a number of national societies who have previously displayed (hopefully returning in 2011) including:
- Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society
- Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society
- RAYNET
- Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society
- Chiltern DX Club
- And other organisations and clubs all displaying their special interests
The Newbury Radio Rally & Boot Sale really is 'the one not to be missed' and ensures a great day out for everyone.
Opening Times
Sunday 19th June 2011
- Open to visitors from 0900hrs until about 1530 or 1600hrs
- Open to sellers/traders from 0800hrs
Note: No access to the site is possible on Saturday 18th June or overnight.
Back to Introduction
Price
- Visitors £2 per person (children under 16 free, no other concessions). Free Parking.
- Trades / sellers £10 per plot (5m x 5m). (click here for Advance Booking)
This space is suitable for a car or small van. If you have a car with trailer or a large van etc you will need two or more plots. You are welcome (as many do) to have multiple plots.
Please note that for safety and space reasons everything must be within the plot(s) purchased (i.e. 5mx5m or multiples thereof) - - this means everything, including the vehicle and all your tables etc, so please take this into account when deciding if one plot is big enough for you.
Back to Introduction
Location + Map + Directions
The Rally takes place at one of the biggest showground’s in the south of England.
Newbury Showground is located right next to junction 13 of the M4 Motorway.
Nearest Post Code: RG18 9BB
Lat: N51:27:33 ( 51.45911), Long: W1:18:19 ( -1.30521).
LR: SU483734
Talk-in on S22 (145.550MHz) with GB4NBS
Directions:
A34 South bound
Continue to J13 M4 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north again (i.e. as if you are going back up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From the A34 North bound
Continue to J13 M4 and follow signs to showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From M4 West bound
Leave at Junction 13 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From M4 East bound
Leave at Junction 13 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
Back to Introduction
Facilities
- Free car park, including a reserved area for disabled blue-badge holders.
- Toilets, including disabled access.
- Catering (freshly cooked beef burgers, bacon rolls etc.)
- Ice cream, ice lolly’s etc.
- Tea, coffee and soft drinks.
- Full bar service, serving a range of beers and alcohol etc
(a great success in 2010!).
- Talk-in on S22 (145.550MHz) with GB4NBS
Back to Introduction
Activities
Each year NADARS provides it’s ‘Demonstration Marque’ where you will see live amateur radio stations in contact with amateurs all over the world using voice, Morse code and data communications. We have also had demonstrations of ‘Air Traffic Control’ radar systems where you can see in real time exactly what aircraft are flying over southern England.
For 2011 we may run our international contest station
again - NADARS is very successful at winning many contests. Come and see some of the contest team in action, complete with their impressive trailer mounted tower with contest antennas, great transceivers and contest logging software, etc!
In addition there has been a place where you could bring your own equipment and have it tested by very experienced engineers who give you a clear answer to just how well your transmitter or receiver is working (and even helping to make adjustments to improve it if possible!!).
Also, there have been a number of national societies who have previously displayed (hopefully returning in 2011) including:
- Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society
- Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society
- RAYNET
- Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society
- Chiltern DX Club
- And other organisations and clubs all displaying their special interests
The Newbury Radio Rally & Boot Sale really is 'the one not to be missed' and ensures a great day out for everyone.
Back to Introduction
Talk-In
Talk-in is provided by the Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society.
Listen for GB4NBS on S22 (145.550MHz)
Back to Introduction
Local Accommodation
There are many hotels and guest houses in the Newbury Area. The best idea is to visit the Newbury Tourist Information Office or use a company like www.Expedia.com or www.hotels.com.
The nearest hotel (almost walking distance, but not quite) is Hilton Newbury North hotel
Please note that it is not possible for anyone to remain on the rally site over night (access is only available from Sunday morning as the site is used for another event on the Saturday)
Click here for camping sites
Back to Introduction
Contact for further information
We hope that we have included everything you need to know on this web site, but if you have any questions then don’t hesitate to contact us and we will endeavour to reply within 24 hours
Email:
Back to Introduction
Advance Booking
This will be available again for 2011. Bookings will be taken
from 1st May 2011. Watch this space!
Back to Introduction
