Category Archives: Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio, General

Time vs Distance.

Based on the information supplied by the AA site, I went to Tralee via Cork and returned via Limerick, I thought to try both routes to compare them and I logged the mileage in both directions, but alas not the time.

Tramore to Tralee (via Cork) was 149.5 Miles, I stayed with a friend on the Killarney side of Cork the night before. I’m really not sure what how long the drive down was, neither am I sure how long the drive onto Tralee was (I’m guessing less than 90 mins).

Tralee to Tramore (via Limerick and Clonmel (to say hello to mum) ) was 143.8 Miles, time was about 3h 20mins, but it felt tortous compared to the trip up, even considering the trip to Cork was in milling rain, and the trip back was in glorious sunshine. Suffice it to say, no matter what the AA say. I’ll probably never ever drive that way again (I’ll probably never be asked back either, but that is another story!).

Now, before anyone mentions it. I went both of those ways to compare them (curiosity), If I didn’t have a reason to go to Cork or Clonmel, I wouldn’t have gone either of those ways. I would have consulted the encyclopedia that is my Dad, for the shortest path (though not necessarily the best roads) between those two points.

As well has having APRS running in the car, I also made good use of the SEARG Repeater Network as well as a long chat with Tommy, EI2IT on S18. Many thanks for shortening the Journey.

Amateur Radio

APRS in the South/Southwest.

I had to travel to Tralee for a meeting yesterday (Monday the 9th of October), so I had APRS running in the car. It suited me to go via Cork and return via Limerick, so I downloaded my track when I got home to see what the coverage was like.

snapshot.png

Coverage can be seen to extend (the blue track) from the Tipperary Limerick border (purely a co-incidence I’m sure) to the far side of Dungarvan. Unfortunately the Digipeater in Cork wasn’t running as it would have extended the range a long way down into cork.

If you look at the bottom left of the picture you can see EI7IG-3. As I was nearing Macroom yesterday morning, I heard the dolcet tones of PCSAT (NO-44) and switched configurations in the Kenwood TM-D700 to digipeat through it while it was within range.

Amateur Radio, Bookmark

Amateur (Ham) Radio operation in Canada.

Leave a comment

I made an enquiry of the Radio Amateurs of Canada a few weeks ago about recipracal license agreements. Some countries require you to apply for a license for the duration of your stay, and this can be quite expensive. In this case the reply was most welcome news.


If you have a CEPT on your licence, you can operate without further ado in
Canada. You should also consult the Standards for the Operation of Radio
Stations at
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf05478e.html

Regards
Guy Charron VA3FZA

Membership Services – Services aux membres
Radio Amateurs of/du Canada

720 Belfast Road
Suite 217
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5

Cheers Guy. As Ireland is a participant in CEPT I can just bring along my own license documentation.

Amateur Radio, Mapping

Ham Radio is Just Like Fishing

Leave a comment

So says Pat, N0HR. I must say, I like his analogies. Its a pity I hadn’t read this yesterday, when I would have been more prepared for questions.

Earlier today I had my own personal ‘driver’. I was operating as a ‘lead’ car in the AOL Sponsored cycling race sponsored by the Comeragh Cycling club. I managed to explain the basics of what we were doing to him (Base, 4 Cars, and at least 3 portable stations at strategic points). And I think he appreciated how useful it was to know where everyone was, but what blew his socks off was when the penny dropped as to what information APRS was providing to the guys back at base.

Hmmm, I wonder what fishing analogy could be used for APRS?