Home of EI2SDR South Dublin Radio Club

South Dublin Radio Club: EI2SDR

Discussion Groups:

The text opposite is based on the leaflet "In the beginning was the wave ... the radio wave!" published by the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) of which South Dublin Radio Club is a member.

IRTS represents the interests of Irish Radio Amateurs both nationally and internationally.

IRTS Contacts:

Irish RadioTransmitters Society
P.O. Box 462
Dublin 9

web: http://www.irts.ie/

Click on a link

The story began, more or less...

What is Amateur Radio?

Call Signs

Why do we do it?

How do I get on the Air?

How much does it cost?

Community Benefits

The story began, more or less...

The story began in July 1895 when Guglielmo Marconi first succeeded in transmitting a radio signal over a short distance. Only in his early twenties at the time, he was to devote the remainder of his life to developing and refining his invention. When he died in 1937 radio had become an integral part of the modern world, but even he could not have foreseen the subsequent strides made in communications technology. Today, radio and its successor television are an important part of our lives. Beside the giant TV stations, local FM stations and mobile phone networks, with their towers and dishes, there exists another world - the world of Amateur Radio.

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio is a hobby. It is a fascinating mix of science and communications, a method of gaining personal skill in the science of electronics and an opportunity to communicate both locally and worldwide by radio. It is also enjoyable.

Scattered across the globe are over 2 million Amateur Radio operators, mostly operating from home, who provide an officially recognised radio service, bound and protected by national and international legislation and regulations.

Call Signs

Each Amateur Radio operator has his or her own unique identifier, known as a call sign. This usually consists of two letters, followed by a single digit number, followed in turn by a further two or three letters. The initial letters and number (the prefix) identify the operator's country, while the final letters (the suffix) the operator's identity within that country. Thus, EI7XX identifies an operator in Ireland, SM7MD an operator in Sweden and PY2HJO one in Brazil.

Why do we do it?

Radio Amateurs communicate with each other. To do this, they use one of a number of modes. Nowadays, speech is the principal mode in use, but communication may also be by Morse Code, Television or any number of digital modes. Contact between amateurs may be brief, lasting only seconds - just long enough to confirm that proper contact has been established - or may go on for 30 minutes or more. International regulations do, however, limit the number of subjects that may be discussed.

English is the most commonly used language. Age, profession, nationality and ethnic barriers are non-existent, thus promoting international friendship and understanding.

There are more than 1,700 licensed Radio Amateurs in Ireland. They are interested in amateur radio for many differen reasons, such as:

To experiment with home-made radio equipment, or a combination of 'black box' (factory-made) and home-made equipment;
To make contact with or keep in touch with fellow radio amateurs - at home and abroad;
To experiment with different antennas and to examine propagation at different frequencies;
To compete with other radio amateurs in the many contests held throughout the year; most of these contests involve operating from home, the aim being to make as many contacts as possible in a given period; some contests involve a group of people travelling to a remote location to test their skills in setting up and operating a transmitter under simulated 'emergency' conditions;

How do I get on the Air?

Radio Amateurs must have a licence in order to operate transmitting equipment. This licence is issued by the Commission for Communications Regulation . It is necessary to pass an examination in radio theory and operating procedures before obtaining such a licence. This examination is not particularly difficult and does not require an extensive knowledge or understanding of the technical aspects of the hobby. There is a big emphasis in the examination on operating procedures and the avoidance of interference to other services, much of which is common sense.

A person who passes the examination in radio theory and operating procesures is entitled to apply for a licence to operate on the VHF (Very High Frequency) bands - these are generally short-range bands. By passing a test in Morse Code, a licence can be obtained to operate also on the HF (High Frequency, or "shortwave") bands - these can be used to communicate globally.

One of the best ways of finding out more about amateur radio is to join a local Radio Club. Details of all clubs affiliated to the IRTS are shown in the club page of the IRTS website.

How much does it cost?

Although a minority of Radio Amateurs spend large amounts of money on their stations, the majority are satisfied with a more modest outlay. A second-hand transceiver and a simple antenna, together costing a few hundred pounds, are sufficient for any radio amateur to get on the air. Once a station is up and running, the ongoing outlay is no more than the cost of the licence, currently 10 euro per annum, and the small amount of power needed to drive the equipment.

Community Benefits

Amateur Radio benefits the community in many ways, for example:

Training Young people can develop a skill or an interest that will stand to them in later life. Many learn to construct some of their own equipment, and those who participate in the activities of the various radio clubs around the country develop a sense of community and involvement that can be very valuable.  Training is not confined to the younger group, as many people have become Radio Amateurs in later life.

Support for the Emergency Services The skills of Radio Amateurs are frequently used to provide communications support for the Emergency Services.  In Ireland, this would typically involve providing communications back-up for mountain walks or other similar activities in parts of the country where existing communications networks are inadequate or non-existent.  Radio Amateurs can also help with communications between different services involved in providing emergency assistance.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Network (AREN) is involved in developing a national structure under which support work for the emergency services can be co-ordinated nationally.

Support for the Disabled Amateur Radio is an ideal past-time for blind and disabled people.  They need support from sighted able-bodied Radio Amateurs, and this is readily forthcoming.  One North Dublin club is involved exclusively in providing training and support for blind and disabled people.

International Friendship By its nature, Amateur Radio fosters communication and understanding across national boundaries.  In recent years, new international treaties were agreed to allow the licensees of many countries to operate in Ireland on the strength of their home country licences.  This has led to an increase in the number of foreign radio amateurs visiting Ireland in order to operate here.  Under the same treaties, Irish licensees are permitted to operate in many foreign countries.