The first ever Mayo Amateur Radio Rally takes place on
Sunday 3rd March in the Belmont Hotel, Knock.
The rally will be hosted by the local club, The Mayo Radio Experimenters
Network, and it promises to be one of the largest of its kind in the country.
This is a major undertaking by the Mayo members and it will bring together radio enthusiasts from many parts of the country. Among the guests will be Dr. Rob Mannion from the South of England,
editor of the leading UK publication, Practical Wireless. Rob will be renewing friendships with the Mayo Club as he was a guest at a previous venture held at the Wishing Well in Ballyvary in recent years.
On display in the Belmont in Knock on Sunday will be radio equipment, computer components, model aircraft and cars, and many exhibitions of technological interest. The show also features a Bring and Buy section, where members of the public can take along items for sale. This is always a hugely popular part of the annual national rally where many committed
followers of radio, as well as those just beginning to take an interest in such
matters, find a whole array of items and publications that add enormously to their interest in radio matters.
The rally and show gets underway at 11 a.m. and most of the exhibition and 'bring and buy' will take place between then and 3 p.m. with the annual general meeting of the national short-wave radio society, the IRTS, will be held in the hotel. Shortwave
enthusiasts
Sunday's rally and get-together in Knock will also be of considerable interest to shortwave radio listeners and it should provide an opportunity to check out some good radios and "receivers" in the 'bring and buy' section. It is also expected that a number of publications in relation to shortwave will be on display at the rally.
Amateur radio is a fascinating mix of science, communications and fun:- a method of gaining skill and expertise in electronics, and a way of making friends all around the world.
It is a means of wireless communication invented by Marconi in 1895 and is responsible for putting hundreds of
thousands of people all over the world into direct contact with each other every day.
World-wide, there are two million licensed radio enthusiasts spread across virtually every country, who are free to operate from the comfort of their own homes. There are approximately 1,700 licensed radio amateurs in Ireland.
Age, profession, nationality, political and ethnic barriers are non-existent, thus promoting international friendship and understanding. Amateur radio is enjoyed by all - young and old, male and female and even the most severely disabled can make friends around the world from their own home. Contacts may be made using speech or Morse code, between computers and even by television. Radio amateurs have built satellites for their own use.
Support services
Because radio amateurs are permitted to use a wide range of frequencies and types of transmission, they must be qualified operators. Training is usually available from radio clubs and it is not as difficult as it sounds, - most students easily pass their examinations on the first attempt.
Licensed amateurs can chat with locally based friends, on the air. Or they can chat with friends in all parts of the world. They can construct their own equipment,
- transmitter, antennas etc. They can
participate in any of the many contests that take place every weekend. They can communicate from their homes, cars, portable, or on holiday.
Communication can be via repeaters
or satellites, via atmospheric skip, or moon-bounce, where signals are literally bounced off the moon to aid coverage! Computers can be linked using a special modem, and television pictures can be sent and received.
The skills of radio amateurs are frequently used to provide communications support for emergency services. This might involve radio communication on mountain walks, searches, or at charity events. In 1998 one Irish amateur made worldwide headlines by providing communications coverage for the MIR satellite when there was a breakdown in the satellite's regular communications system.
Amateur radio is an all-inclusive hobby. Blind, visually impaired, and disabled people can enjoy the hobby and indeed participate fully. One Dublin club is involved exclusively in providing training and
support for blind and disabled people.
An amateur station can cost as much or as little as the operator wishes to invest. Home constructed, or pre-owned
equipment can get you on the air for well under 100 euro. Or you can invest
substantially more.
Brendan Minish who resides in Castlebar and who is one of the co-ordinators of Sunday's rally in Knock, explains that it is necessary to secure a licence. "To operate amateur radio equipment it is necessary to obtain a license. Licenses in Ireland are issued by The Office Of The Director of Telecommunications Regulation, - The O.D.T.R.
"There are two types of license, Class A and Class B. Instruction is usually given by clubs and Mayo is no exception, with classes held regularly by The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network. Full details are available on the Club website at www.mayoren.net," says Brendan, who himself was very much to the fore in co-ordinating the recent North-West Passage boat trip by an Irish crew including Jarlath Cunnane from Knock and Dr. Michael Brogan from Ballyhaunis.
Another member, Joe Connor from Breaffy, says the Mayo amateur radio fraternity are very much looking forward to Sunday's rally in Knock. "No effort is being spared in making this a memorable occasion not only for the Mayo members but for all those travelling from around to the country as well as for the casual visitor who dropped in to see what it's all about."
The Mayo club members meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 9 p.m. in Stenson's Lounge, Ballyvary. All are welcome.
* Further information on the Rally in the Belmont Hotel in Knock can be had from Frances Taheny 087-9029155 or Brendan Minish 094-23326 or 086-2501832.
