1 Aug 1999

Mayo Radio Experimenters & Islands On The Air Contest

Sunday August 1st 1999
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Islands On The Air Contest

Last weekend’s Islands On The Air Contest was notable 
once again for the big numbers of EI stations on the 
air. Several DX stations commented on the high level of 
activity for the event.

We had three groups that travelled specifically to 
activate islands for the contest.

Thirteen members of the Mayo Radio Experimenters 
Network used the club callsign EJ7MRE from Clare Island 
in Clew Bay and they all enjoyed the experience while 
putting up an outstanding score for their first effort 
in an international contest.

A bit further South, Sean EI4GK together with Joe 
EI7GY, Declan EI9HQ and two visitors from GI operated 
from the highest point on Inishmore, the largest of the 
Aran Islands, using a disused lighthouse a support for 
their tri-band beam. They amassed a fine score and 
should be well up the results table.

The Blasket Island Group were put on the air by Anthony 
EI2HY and Mike EI2IB, using the callsign EJ2HY. This 
was a difficult assignment as all the gear had to be 
hauled by hand from the boat to a high point on Great 
Blasket Island. They achieved their best ever score 
over the weekend.

The planned trip by the East Cork Group to Bere Island 
had to be cancelled due to new insurance requirements 
by the Minister of Defence. It looks like future access 
to all military property will be impossible due to high 
insurance cover now required.

However, three group members entered from their home 
stations in the single operator category. Jim EI8GS and 
John EI8IR entered the 24-hour SSB section while Dave 
EI4BZ entered the mixed mode 24-hour section.

The Wexford Radio Group, some of whose members were 
also due to travel to Bere Island, entered the 
multi-operator section from the station of EI6GF and 
EI7FJ.

Enda EI3IS from County Galway was also heard during the 
contest with a very good score.

The Dalkey Island Group put up a fine performance from 
St. Croix using the call WP2Z and should be very near 
the top of the leader board.

IRTS President Paul O’Kane EI5DI, holder of the IRTS DX 
Trophy as the leading EI single operator last year, 
defended his position and finished with what is 
probably a winning score again this year.

There were many more EI station active but we had no 
information from them at the time of writing.

The Hal Hodgens Trophy will be awarded to the leading 
EI in the single operator 12 hour CW section.

A feature of the weekend was that all the senior 
society officers were serious entrants in the contest, 
This included the President, Vice-President, Secretary 
and Treasurer, plus several other office holders.
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Mayo Radio Experimenters Success At Theory Exam

History was made in Mayo during June when two sets of 
father and son teams were successful in the radio 
theory exam and are currently awaiting their call 
signs.

Padraic Baynes and his son Padraic Jr (Pat) from Westport and Joe 
Diskin and his son John from Ballyhaunis were 
successful in the examination that was held in 
Kiltimagh.

Four others were also successful making a total of 
eight new callsigns due in county Mayo in the next 
week.

Instructors for the classes were John Corless EI7IQ and 
John McDonnell EI6IR. Congratulations to all involved.

Classes are due to commence again in September to keep 
up with the rapid growth of the hobby in the county.

The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network enjoyed their very 
first contest experience recently when three members of 
the club made the journey to Croagh Moyle for the IRTS 
VHF Field Day.

A much larger group made their way to Clare Island 
(EU121) for the annual IOTA event, using the club 
callsign EJ7MRE.

The July meeting of the MREN were treated to a 
demonstration of Computer logging by John Corless 
EI7IQ. John displayed the latest version of Log EQF 
(Version 9) with the RAC Callbook on CD, linked to a 
Yaesu FT920. Twenty-five members attended for the 
demonstration.

The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 
9pm in The Wishing Well, Ballyvary on the N5, and all 
are welcome.

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