2018 has been an extremely busy year for the Galway VHF
Group. Our activities commenced with the IRTS AGM weekend, held in the Galway
Bay Hotel, Salthill. Saturday was devoted to a series of lectures on Saturday
afternoon and the Annual dinner in the evening. On Sunday, the Rally was
surprisingly well attended with many traders and exhibitors. The AGM took place
in the afternoon. We thank all those who attended the dinner, rally and AGM in
Galway.
The Galway VHF Group is very active with AREN and emergency
communications.
Support was provided for the following events:
Support was provided for the following events:
1) The Connemara Ultra Marathon - 22nd April
2) The Kinvara Rock and Road Marathon - May
3) The Galway Regatta - 17th June
4) The Castlebar 4 Days International Walking Festival - 28th
June
5) The Galway Walking Club Marathon - 18th August
During these events, new technology was tested in conjunction
with the existing HF, VHF and UHF technology used for the last number of years.
The Galway VHF Group has a policy of utilizing any funding
for the benefit of the wider amateur community, and following the Rally held
over the IRTS weekend, it was possible to advance the projects to the point
where they could be pressed into service.
The Galway multi-mode Digital Gateway, EI2GCD operating in
DMR and Yaesu Fusion had undergone tests and were ready for installation at a
high location. The antenna system and feeders were purchased to complete this
project. This project was installed on-site on the 4th of November
2018
The Galway DMR Repeater was purchased shortly after the AGM.
Time was spent on set-up, bench testing and working with internet connectivity
to ensure trouble-free service. This was
also pressed into service from a high site overlooking Galway City and
providing saturation coverage of the City and surrounding areas within a 35
mile radius.
The 2m Yaesu Fusion Wires-X gateway was switched into
service mid-September. This has provided good coverage of Galway City enabling
experimentation with networking on this unique Digital mode.
All three projects have performed beyond expectation and
have provided sufficient coverage to allow newcomers to digital radio plenty of
opportunity for experimentation and communication with national and
international users.
With the current crop of projects on the air, the Galway VHF
Group has purchased two more Hytera RD985 DMR Repeaters. One of these will
replace the existing Analog Repeater sited at Abbeyknockmoy Co. Galway. This
should occur in the early quarter of 2019 once the licensing has been updated
to accommodate DMR.
In the meantime, Steve, EI5DD, has given lectures on Digital
Radio, to Limerick Radio Club, Galway Radio Club and the Shannon Basin Radio
Club. There was considerable interest in DMR from the Shannon Basin Group. The possibility of locating a DMR Repeater in the area and a follow up was discussed
with a good outcome. We look forward to setting a Repeater to cover the area in
the New Year. This will enable a wide area to be covered.
We have set up the
Galway Digital Radio Group Page to assist those new to Digital Radio and those
wishing to learn more about it.
We look forward to completing our last two repeater projects
EARLY the new year as this will serve a huge area from the West and towards the
midlands and will involve the Galway Radio Club, the Mayo VHF Group The Galway
VHF Group and the Shannon Basin Club members.
We are indebted to all those who have rowed in with our projects
especially John, MI0AAZ, who inspired the interest in Digital Radio two years
ago.
Our Webpage http://galwayvhfgroup.blogspot.com/
Galway Digital Radio Group
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/745516459124467/
