Well this weekend was a lot of fun, especially as it was the CQ WW contest.
Although I didnt take part in the contest itself (as in I have no intention of submitting my log) I did use it as the perfect opportunity to gain some new DXCC's and possibly working some rare ones also.
I spent a few hours a day in the shack, doing some of my own work as well as listening on the bands, and found myself holding the mic whenever a new prefix or station caught my attention. However as per every contest weekend, splatter was in full force, DX code of conduct went out the window, along with some of the band plans, and pile ups to work a station were commonplace. Despite this, I participated in collecting the stations I needed and had a little DX dance (as taught by my buddy sMurphy lol) anytime I managed to successfully get one in the log.
The big guns were also out, stations hit up with linear ampage like an athlete on steroids, blasting their callsigns to the world. Now I dont hate, but it does get annoying when you are pushing your 100w and getting stamped all over like a running bull in a china shop, but thats one of the pleasures of owning such equipment.
So all in all, I was extremely pleased with my measley contacts, approx 57 in all, but this weekend quality was definately better than quantity!
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
Monday, 29 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Banged up in Gaol !!!
I thought of a nice, quiet Sunday and then realised I had to go to gaol...... Cork City Gaol that is!
Another activation on the cards, North Cork Radio Group were back in gaol for more contacts and fun hours. Cork City Gaol, which was a former womens prison, last allowed us inside in March 2011 and we were fortunate to make it out. But the location is an amazing one, and we always make great contacts there, so we found ourselves returning again... not something most people like to say out loud.
We arrived at the location and began to set up the station, which was the Yaesu FT 857 with a end fed dipole strung out approx 30m high across the very eerie exercise yard, and tied off to another building across the way, which was very imposing with high barred windows, overgrown rooms and bare steps. You could almost sense the despair from the ruins, and the worn out circle on the grass snapped you back in time where women truged around in a monotonous circle, the only outside activity they had.
The Gaol itself stands magnificently in the centre of the grounds, and even walking up the main steps fills you with a sense of dread, as the stone building lords its enormity and doom-filled thoughts over you. I for one would not like to have been a guest of this establishment.
The cells are tiny, bed were a wooden crate with a "blanket" so thin spiders couldve made it being the only source of heat and comfort allowed. Many a death occured in that building in my opinion, because if you were not killed, flogged or starving, then the cold would be the silent, most deadliest killer of them all.
We spent a total of 6 hours in the building and I was on the verge of turning into a block of ice. At one point, I left the building to get my fleece jacket from the car and the heat outside was a lot warmer than inside! I even considered moving the setup outdoors!! So if I felt like that after 6 hours, imagine 6 months, or 6 years!
But on the bright side, the contacts were great, the QSO's interesting and the day was a good one all around. We chatted to many of our friends as well as some new contacts. We even discovered that one of our members ancestors was a guest of the prison for 6 months in 1904!
It is also amazing to note that the first radio transmission from the location was in 1927 using the callsign 6CK.
But contrary to popular belief, I was naughty or bold enough to be kept there any longer than I had to so I was pleased to meet the sunshine once I stepped outside.
I look forward to returning again.
Ciao for now
73 de Lisa, EI9GSB
Another activation on the cards, North Cork Radio Group were back in gaol for more contacts and fun hours. Cork City Gaol, which was a former womens prison, last allowed us inside in March 2011 and we were fortunate to make it out. But the location is an amazing one, and we always make great contacts there, so we found ourselves returning again... not something most people like to say out loud.
We arrived at the location and began to set up the station, which was the Yaesu FT 857 with a end fed dipole strung out approx 30m high across the very eerie exercise yard, and tied off to another building across the way, which was very imposing with high barred windows, overgrown rooms and bare steps. You could almost sense the despair from the ruins, and the worn out circle on the grass snapped you back in time where women truged around in a monotonous circle, the only outside activity they had.
The Gaol itself stands magnificently in the centre of the grounds, and even walking up the main steps fills you with a sense of dread, as the stone building lords its enormity and doom-filled thoughts over you. I for one would not like to have been a guest of this establishment.
The cells are tiny, bed were a wooden crate with a "blanket" so thin spiders couldve made it being the only source of heat and comfort allowed. Many a death occured in that building in my opinion, because if you were not killed, flogged or starving, then the cold would be the silent, most deadliest killer of them all.
We spent a total of 6 hours in the building and I was on the verge of turning into a block of ice. At one point, I left the building to get my fleece jacket from the car and the heat outside was a lot warmer than inside! I even considered moving the setup outdoors!! So if I felt like that after 6 hours, imagine 6 months, or 6 years!
But on the bright side, the contacts were great, the QSO's interesting and the day was a good one all around. We chatted to many of our friends as well as some new contacts. We even discovered that one of our members ancestors was a guest of the prison for 6 months in 1904!
It is also amazing to note that the first radio transmission from the location was in 1927 using the callsign 6CK.
But contrary to popular belief, I was naughty or bold enough to be kept there any longer than I had to so I was pleased to meet the sunshine once I stepped outside.
I look forward to returning again.
Ciao for now
73 de Lisa, EI9GSB
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Exciting Times Ahead
So its the middle of summer (well I say summer but there really should be only one season in Ireland.....Damp!) and NCRG events are stacking up for August.
The first one is one I am personally looking forward to...NCRG does Spike Island! This is Ireland's Alcatraz and bound to be a sought after event, seeing as it hasnt been done before and is also classed as a CASHOTA.
The event is taking place on Wednesday, 8th August. We have to travel to the Island by boat and seeing as I dont do un-solid platforms under my feet, I could be reaching for something to settle my stomach (hopefully it'll only take 10 mins so I may not be affected).
The next event will be for Cork Heritage Day on 18th August and we are back at Blackrock Castle. We love activating this site as it is a great opportunity to meet people, as well as giving people the opportunity to operate the station. The buzz in the air is great and we always make a steady stream of contacts, including our good friends next door (UK) and at home, as well as new contacts seeking to collect the CASHOTA reference (in case you may not realise, we are enthusiastic ambassadors for the CASHOTA programme)
Our final event for the month is at Roches Point Lighthouse as part of the Lighthouse weekend on 19th August. We would have loved to do this for the whole weekend but as Heritage Day is the day before, we can kill 2 birds with one stone (disclaimer:- no actual birds were harmed in the typing of this blog lol). This is another first, both for the Group and the location and well have to wait and see what this brings.
Our most recent activation was at Seefin Mountain where a number of new antennas were tested. OMG it was coooold on that mountain, and I left the activation when finished dreaming of a fire and cosy pyjamas!! In saying that, we had a lot of fun and I was amazed at the flow of contacts coming back to us on 20m, including US and Canadian stations, as well as our locals down the road lol.
Ive attached a few pics of the antennas and station used at Seefin, I cant wait for the next activation - Im counting down the days!!!
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
The first one is one I am personally looking forward to...NCRG does Spike Island! This is Ireland's Alcatraz and bound to be a sought after event, seeing as it hasnt been done before and is also classed as a CASHOTA.
The event is taking place on Wednesday, 8th August. We have to travel to the Island by boat and seeing as I dont do un-solid platforms under my feet, I could be reaching for something to settle my stomach (hopefully it'll only take 10 mins so I may not be affected).
The next event will be for Cork Heritage Day on 18th August and we are back at Blackrock Castle. We love activating this site as it is a great opportunity to meet people, as well as giving people the opportunity to operate the station. The buzz in the air is great and we always make a steady stream of contacts, including our good friends next door (UK) and at home, as well as new contacts seeking to collect the CASHOTA reference (in case you may not realise, we are enthusiastic ambassadors for the CASHOTA programme)
Our final event for the month is at Roches Point Lighthouse as part of the Lighthouse weekend on 19th August. We would have loved to do this for the whole weekend but as Heritage Day is the day before, we can kill 2 birds with one stone (disclaimer:- no actual birds were harmed in the typing of this blog lol). This is another first, both for the Group and the location and well have to wait and see what this brings.
Our most recent activation was at Seefin Mountain where a number of new antennas were tested. OMG it was coooold on that mountain, and I left the activation when finished dreaming of a fire and cosy pyjamas!! In saying that, we had a lot of fun and I was amazed at the flow of contacts coming back to us on 20m, including US and Canadian stations, as well as our locals down the road lol.
Ive attached a few pics of the antennas and station used at Seefin, I cant wait for the next activation - Im counting down the days!!!
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
Thursday, 31 May 2012
My film debut!!
Hey guys,
Below you will find a link to a YouTube video made in conjunction with our Group, EI1NC or North Cork Radio Group. This was created by our resident journalist, Tom McCarthy, for an assignment and I have to say, turned out extremely well.
This is based on a number of events we have organised since the start of the year to include Blackrock Castle, Ballynamona Beach and Mizen Head for Marconi weekend! We had great fun and sincerely thank Tom for the final edition (thankfully there are no outtakes - although there could be a few lurking in his editing suite lol)
Please view it and share with any other friends you might think will find it interesting.
Ciao for now
Lisa, EI9GSB
Below you will find a link to a YouTube video made in conjunction with our Group, EI1NC or North Cork Radio Group. This was created by our resident journalist, Tom McCarthy, for an assignment and I have to say, turned out extremely well.
This is based on a number of events we have organised since the start of the year to include Blackrock Castle, Ballynamona Beach and Mizen Head for Marconi weekend! We had great fun and sincerely thank Tom for the final edition (thankfully there are no outtakes - although there could be a few lurking in his editing suite lol)
Please view it and share with any other friends you might think will find it interesting.
Ciao for now
Lisa, EI9GSB
Monday, 30 April 2012
NCRG - 2012 so far
Hey there,
Apologies for my absence, sometimes my life overtakes the opportunity to post here, other times Im too tired after a long day, sometimes a long week.
Since my participation in the Pfx contest, I have been busy organising a few more NCRG (North Cork Radio Group) activations. Our most recent one was at Mizen Head Visitors Centre as part of the Marconi Day celebrations. Five of the lads from the group made this a weekend of radio, socialising and laughs as they operated EI1NC/P on Friday 20th and Sunday 22nd April, and operated the Marconi station of EI0IMD on Marconi Day - 21st April.
Due to personal restrictions, I was only able to attend for Marconi Day itself, 21st April, but had great fun on the day. There were 2 stations set up with an array of antennas to choose from, every band was adequately considered, and it was great to be able to get quite a few of our radio friends in the log. The weather wasnt the best, switching from sunshine to fog in a matter of minutes, and the wind was enough to cause our antenna to become a wind powered rotator HI. I even had the pleasure of providing our resident journalist with an interview on the YL view of the hobby (a "YL Eye" so to speak).
The drive from my QTH to Mizen is a long one, some 2.5 to 3 hours drive. By the time I returned home, I was fit for bed, yet still managed a quick scan on the bands to see if I could work some of the other Marconi stations of the day. I was quite impressed to get the Uruguay station on 15m but a bit dissapointed there werent more of the GB stations listed for the award on the air. Maybe next time.
So, as previously stated, many more exciting events coming out of NCRG planning with some new CASHOTA sites, as well as an old prison and a very popular fort!! Now these I look forward to activating as to my knowledge they have never been done before, and this is always a bonus for me, the pleasure of an event together with a first timer location.
I have found however that although this is supposed to be a hobby, and although we put in our fair share of work and thought into bringing our events to our members (and sometimes the public where allowed), there is a lot of jealousy and bitterness to be found. Our group has been the subject of ranting from operators using pseudonyms to slander the Group, not to mention particular members of the group. I personally dont dwell on any of this nonsense but lately there has been a lot of interference, including going so far as to maliciously disrupt the Group activities/events (eg music played over Group calls continuously, keying up etc) and it amazes me how low and petty people are willing to be in order to try and make our group look inadequate solely because we are a lot more active than others ... and the insulting parties are supposed to be adults, not to mention EI operators, however it amazes me that these people are willing to put their licences on the line for the purpose of immature illegal activity!!! Its a shame that there is this side of the hobby, although it is an ugly truth that does exist in particular districts, and can probably be found in many other countries than Ireland.
On the brighter side, congrats to our national society on celebrating 80 years this year. These celebrations were held on the same dates as Marconi weekend so unfortunately neither I nor the other lads were in a position to attend but I look forward to seeing all the pics. Congrats to Dundalk ARS for organising what was deemed to be a great weekend.
Well thats all I have for the minute, enjoy the hobby!!!
Ciao for now
Lisa, EI9GSB
Apologies for my absence, sometimes my life overtakes the opportunity to post here, other times Im too tired after a long day, sometimes a long week.
Since my participation in the Pfx contest, I have been busy organising a few more NCRG (North Cork Radio Group) activations. Our most recent one was at Mizen Head Visitors Centre as part of the Marconi Day celebrations. Five of the lads from the group made this a weekend of radio, socialising and laughs as they operated EI1NC/P on Friday 20th and Sunday 22nd April, and operated the Marconi station of EI0IMD on Marconi Day - 21st April.
Due to personal restrictions, I was only able to attend for Marconi Day itself, 21st April, but had great fun on the day. There were 2 stations set up with an array of antennas to choose from, every band was adequately considered, and it was great to be able to get quite a few of our radio friends in the log. The weather wasnt the best, switching from sunshine to fog in a matter of minutes, and the wind was enough to cause our antenna to become a wind powered rotator HI. I even had the pleasure of providing our resident journalist with an interview on the YL view of the hobby (a "YL Eye" so to speak).
The drive from my QTH to Mizen is a long one, some 2.5 to 3 hours drive. By the time I returned home, I was fit for bed, yet still managed a quick scan on the bands to see if I could work some of the other Marconi stations of the day. I was quite impressed to get the Uruguay station on 15m but a bit dissapointed there werent more of the GB stations listed for the award on the air. Maybe next time.
So, as previously stated, many more exciting events coming out of NCRG planning with some new CASHOTA sites, as well as an old prison and a very popular fort!! Now these I look forward to activating as to my knowledge they have never been done before, and this is always a bonus for me, the pleasure of an event together with a first timer location.
I have found however that although this is supposed to be a hobby, and although we put in our fair share of work and thought into bringing our events to our members (and sometimes the public where allowed), there is a lot of jealousy and bitterness to be found. Our group has been the subject of ranting from operators using pseudonyms to slander the Group, not to mention particular members of the group. I personally dont dwell on any of this nonsense but lately there has been a lot of interference, including going so far as to maliciously disrupt the Group activities/events (eg music played over Group calls continuously, keying up etc) and it amazes me how low and petty people are willing to be in order to try and make our group look inadequate solely because we are a lot more active than others ... and the insulting parties are supposed to be adults, not to mention EI operators, however it amazes me that these people are willing to put their licences on the line for the purpose of immature illegal activity!!! Its a shame that there is this side of the hobby, although it is an ugly truth that does exist in particular districts, and can probably be found in many other countries than Ireland.
On the brighter side, congrats to our national society on celebrating 80 years this year. These celebrations were held on the same dates as Marconi weekend so unfortunately neither I nor the other lads were in a position to attend but I look forward to seeing all the pics. Congrats to Dundalk ARS for organising what was deemed to be a great weekend.
Well thats all I have for the minute, enjoy the hobby!!!
Ciao for now
Lisa, EI9GSB
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
CQ CQ WW, CALLING ALL NEW pFX CONTACTS
This weekend, I took part in the CQ WWPX contest. I had myself all geared up for it, in my head I was already making hundreds, if not thousands of contacts, and was all ready to operate at a rapid rate for a good few hours. I positioned myself at the desk, correct frequency (check), logbook at the ready (check), mic and footswitch in position (check), refreshments close (check). I decided not to tie myself down to any particular band yet and began on 40m expecting a nice little pile up of prefix hunters.
Unfortunately the reality of this was very different.
I found a clear frequency and began calling "cq cq test, cq test, EI9GSB, contest".......nothing. I repeated this quite a few times before I got an answer, and then it was another little bit before I got another. Maybe my expectations were too high?
After a little bit of this to-ing and fro-ing, I decided to change band, surely 20m or 15m would be more active. Boy was I right. I could barely find a few KHz to myself without being trampled on (not literally but it felt like it!). Here was poor little callsign on the band, just trying to get a few contacts when the "big gun" stations began to stomp all over me from a few KHz away, splattering me with 20+ (sometimes 40+) db of noise. I couldnt hear myself, let alone anyone answering my call.
I did however decide I was going to answer some of the stations. To begin at the start of the band and work my way to the end provided many contacts, as even a move as little as 0.50 KHz gave you a new station. And this is the way I proceeded to work, I even left the rig after a while as I was so annoyed with the DX zoo, constant stamping, blatant overtaking of occupied frequencies and some stations using so much power they could sustain an estate.
On the bright side though, I did manage to get some nice new contacts and DXCC's, and lots of new pFX's. I ended the contest experience with 261 contacts, but I much prefer operating at any ol time and working a little pile up of your own!!!
Unfortunately the reality of this was very different.
I found a clear frequency and began calling "cq cq test, cq test, EI9GSB, contest".......nothing. I repeated this quite a few times before I got an answer, and then it was another little bit before I got another. Maybe my expectations were too high?
After a little bit of this to-ing and fro-ing, I decided to change band, surely 20m or 15m would be more active. Boy was I right. I could barely find a few KHz to myself without being trampled on (not literally but it felt like it!). Here was poor little callsign on the band, just trying to get a few contacts when the "big gun" stations began to stomp all over me from a few KHz away, splattering me with 20+ (sometimes 40+) db of noise. I couldnt hear myself, let alone anyone answering my call.
I did however decide I was going to answer some of the stations. To begin at the start of the band and work my way to the end provided many contacts, as even a move as little as 0.50 KHz gave you a new station. And this is the way I proceeded to work, I even left the rig after a while as I was so annoyed with the DX zoo, constant stamping, blatant overtaking of occupied frequencies and some stations using so much power they could sustain an estate.
On the bright side though, I did manage to get some nice new contacts and DXCC's, and lots of new pFX's. I ended the contest experience with 261 contacts, but I much prefer operating at any ol time and working a little pile up of your own!!!
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
Spotted all over the world!!!
I spent the whole of yesterday glued to my rig. Not because there was any major DX or because of any contests, but purely because of the fun I was having. Now this hasnt happened to me in quite a bit.
I had been using a Xmas pressie I got from Tony ( the hubbie). I had been using PSK31 on 40m all along with a dipole antenna, but was getting tired of the variation of stations I was receiving. Tony swapped the antennas, the beam was connected to the Kenwood and the dipole temporarily placed in the Icom. I couldn't believe the increase in activity on the bands!
There were many firsts for me yesterday including using all of the bands 20-6m. I was elated, the amount of calls to be answered, so much so that at one point the waterfall looked like a swimming pool, signals everywhere!
A major first for me was the use of 30m, a band that I had never considered using previously but I was pleasently surprised at the amount of ops on seeking contacts. I had great fun and was like a child at Xmas.
The only drawback for me was having to collect DXCC'S from the beginning all over again as no doubt I shall be looking for a digi award into the future. The biggest surprise to me though was seeing the map on psk reporter highlighted with a rainbow of colors from all parts of the globe !! I was in my element!
In all I made close to 70 contacts yesterday on PSK, my furthest being Brazil and Argentina. It was a really fun radio day, wih my signal being spotted all over the world!
I had been using a Xmas pressie I got from Tony ( the hubbie). I had been using PSK31 on 40m all along with a dipole antenna, but was getting tired of the variation of stations I was receiving. Tony swapped the antennas, the beam was connected to the Kenwood and the dipole temporarily placed in the Icom. I couldn't believe the increase in activity on the bands!
There were many firsts for me yesterday including using all of the bands 20-6m. I was elated, the amount of calls to be answered, so much so that at one point the waterfall looked like a swimming pool, signals everywhere!
A major first for me was the use of 30m, a band that I had never considered using previously but I was pleasently surprised at the amount of ops on seeking contacts. I had great fun and was like a child at Xmas.
The only drawback for me was having to collect DXCC'S from the beginning all over again as no doubt I shall be looking for a digi award into the future. The biggest surprise to me though was seeing the map on psk reporter highlighted with a rainbow of colors from all parts of the globe !! I was in my element!
In all I made close to 70 contacts yesterday on PSK, my furthest being Brazil and Argentina. It was a really fun radio day, wih my signal being spotted all over the world!
Monday, 9 January 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR .....or is it?
Hey there peeps,
Firstly, let me take this opportunity to wish you a very happy 2012, hope this one is better than the last few.
In relation to weather, what the hell is happening at the minute? Storms, winds of up to 120km per hour and broken antennas. Mine avoided any major damage, well partially because its been sitting in its cradle position for the past few weeks but my poor co-linear on the roof had died a poor death this winter, the poor things needs to be retired and laid to rest..... and to be replaced by a new one.
My news evenings have gone by the wayside for the present time due to this bereavement but all shall be restored once we manage to get a new one up there!
A few of my friends (both on here and Facebook) have suffered at the hands of the ferocious winds. Poor Anthony's antenna snapped and had to be replaced and I have to say Im impressed with the speed in which he had it up and running again, if I had blinked I would've missed it lol.
Other than that, all is good on the western front, xmas was a quiet one, apart from the mental kids of course, by the time the 28th came I was ready to go back to work for a rest!!! New Year's Eve came and went and even on New Year's Day I was impressed with the amount of posts of DXCC's being worked by hams across the board. I haven't gotten back into it yet, but the year is young.
One of my xmas pressies I got were data cables from my hubbie (amongst other things of course). I think they're brilliant. I was playing with them for ages, and since I like typing too, this is even more up my alley, you can "macro" away whilst doing other things!!!! Thanks Tony!
So I'm off now to relax for the rest of the evening, hope to catch some of you in the very near future!
Ciao for now
Lisa
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