I received a call last Wednesday from one of NCRG sponsors indicating that they had been contacted by Newstalk, the national radio station. Newstalk had seen Blackrock Castle's advertisement of an NCRG event at their location and requested an interview on amateur radio by a member of the Group the following day.
I contacted the producer on the details he left, and after a phone call outlining what ham radio was, he asked me if I would attend at their studio on Opera Lane in Cork (which can be seen from the street through a glass window) on Thursday, 14th February (Valentines Day) to conduct the interview with none other than Sean Moncrieff (tv and radio presenter).
I have to say I was totes brickin it, with my stomach churning as the time grew closer, and I felt like I had a million butterflies floating around in there.
Right before I went on air (broadcast style) I discovered it was a live show which made it even more petrifying. I met Sean and had a brief chat before the beginning of the interview and then it was full steam ahead.
Those 12-15 minutes felt like a life time, and I tried to deal with the questions as best I could, although I did get a bit flustered what with my head reeling a 100 miles a minute with the information I wanted to include, dealing with the interview direction and just nerves in general but on listening back, I found it sounded okay.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see the SEARG lads had take the time to email in to the show to wish NCRG well (thx Sean), as well as all the nice messages received from everyone on Facebook.
All in all it was a good experience (after the fact) and I felt it created an awareness of the hobby for anyone who didn't know it was there. And you know what they say, all publicity is good publicity even if it is literally only 15 mins of fame
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Sunday, 10 February 2013
QSL cards
Couldn't believe it the other day when I came home from work and had received a major bundle of QSL cards in the post, which I have to say I was surprised at considering I had returned a number of them in September after our annual radio rally.
Some of the cards dated back to 2010, even some to the very first day I used my license on the 30th October 2010!
I was delighted to see the variations of Dxcc's worked, especially 2 lovely cards from amateurs in Japan.
I physically went through the log and confirmed the dates etc and set out returning cards to these operators who took the time to send cards to me. After about and hour & half, I was done and never so happy to see the end of the pile.
But they have all now been completed and will be winging their way to their new owners, I'm sure the bureau outgoing manager will be delighted with me !! ..... Once I sort them properly that is, ugh lol
Some of the cards dated back to 2010, even some to the very first day I used my license on the 30th October 2010!
I was delighted to see the variations of Dxcc's worked, especially 2 lovely cards from amateurs in Japan.
I physically went through the log and confirmed the dates etc and set out returning cards to these operators who took the time to send cards to me. After about and hour & half, I was done and never so happy to see the end of the pile.
But they have all now been completed and will be winging their way to their new owners, I'm sure the bureau outgoing manager will be delighted with me !! ..... Once I sort them properly that is, ugh lol
Friday, 25 January 2013
CQWW results
I was on the way to work the other morning when I get a call from Tony. He advises me that the results for the CQWW contest are in and I had received number 1 rookie in Ireland, as well as 5th in Ireland totally !!
I was quite surprised at this, considering that I wasn't even going to enter it, other than to provide a check log, as I didn't think the score was of any great comparison to the big leaguers.
However it just goes to show that even a little fish can achieve something great if they are willing to take part.
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
I was quite surprised at this, considering that I wasn't even going to enter it, other than to provide a check log, as I didn't think the score was of any great comparison to the big leaguers.
However it just goes to show that even a little fish can achieve something great if they are willing to take part.
Ciao for now
Lisa EI9GSB
Monday, 29 October 2012
CQ WW - where the cool DXCC's come out
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
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
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
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