This Week’s News
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 16th, 2026
IRTS Hamfest 2026
IRTS Hamfest 2026 took place over the weekend of 8th and 9th of August, bringing operators, clubs, presenters, vendors, and enthusiasts together for an action-packed weekend in Mullingar. On Saturday, we were blessed with excellent weather despite a previously less promising forecast. Setup went smoothly, and before long, clubs from all across the nation were ready for their exhibition, showcasing everything from SOTA, POTA, and emergency communications to equipment collections and club activity highlights. Many operators arrived with more than just their radios. Camper vans and tents quickly filled the site, giving operators the unique opportunity to test their field-portable setups from the Hamfest itself.
The Saturday afternoon featured three presentations. We were grateful to ComReg for explaining how they support the hobby and serve the operator community, followed by Enda EI2II, who gave a retrospective of the Antigua DX expedition team, and Vic EI5IYB, who gave an introduction to the latest advancements in packet radio. The Sunday brought a radio rally to the site. A range of vendors attended, offering everything from brand-new transceivers and accessories to vintage computing gear.
We would like to thank all clubs, presenters, vendors, and participants who helped make this year's Hamfest a success. It was great to see many people come together, putting a face behind the callsign heard on the air. Please channel any feedback to hamfest /at/ irts.ie, and keep an eye on IRTS social media channels for event pictures. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next in-person event.
Shannon Basin Radio Club Invitation for SSB Field Day
Shannon Basin Radio Club is extending a warm invitation to radio clubs to join them for the upcoming IRTS SSB Field Day, which takes place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th, 2026. The club will be operating from the spacious and secure grounds of Garbally College in Ballinasloe. Clubs or individual operators interested in setting up alongside them or joining in the field day activities are invited to get in touch. For further information and logistics, please contact Anthony, EI6GGB, by emailing admin /at/ sbrc.ie
Silent Key - Michael White EI5EAB
This week, we regret to report the passing of Mick White EI5EAB. Mick was a founder member and honorary member of Shannon Basin Radio Club. Residing in Athlone, Mick was a retired member of the Irish Defence Forces. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and wide circle of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. May he rest in peace.
Galway Radio Experimenters Club s Trip to Inishbofin
Galway Radio Experimenters Club will host their annual trip to Inishbofin this week, from the 15th to the 21st of August. They will be operating across the bands using the club call sign EJ4GRC and welcome calls from all. If by any chance anyone happens to be visiting Inishbofin during this time be sure to call in to them. You are asked to please keep an eye on their Facebook for updates throughout the week - search Galway Radio Club on Facebook.
DX Féile 2026 Update
The date and venue for the eagerly awaited DX Féile 2026 organised by the EIDX group have been announced. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday October 3rd in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare. Further information will be announced in due course. Enquiries should be sent to David at ei9fbb /at/ gmail.com
VHF/Microwave News
Amateur radio operators are reminded that the International Space Station (ISS) VHF/UHF crossband FM repeater is active and available for making contacts during scheduled passes over Ireland and Europe. Operating under the callsign NA1SS, the crossband repeater features an uplink on 145.990 MHz using a 67.0 Hz CTCSS tone, and a downlink on 437.800 MHz plus or minus Doppler. Occasionally, a crewmember can pick up the microphone and talk on the repeater so you could be fortunate enough to speak directly to an astronaut on board. Back on Earth, SSB and FM nets on the VHF and UHF bands are run at various times during the week. Information about these can be found on the IRTS website. If any help or pointers are needed, you are very welcome to contact the VHF/microwave co-managers via email to vhf_manager /at/ irts.ie
IARU Intruder Watch Service Newsletter
The July edition of the IARU Intruder Watch Service has been published. Operated by dedicated volunteers, the service searches for and identifies unlawful signals from the bands, including broad-spectrum over-the-horizon radars (OTHR), illegal maritime or commercial chatter, and military transmissions. In this latest edition, you can learn more about what the national coordinators observed on the bands. These signals included over-the-horizon radars, broadcasting and non-amateur voice, and military and embassy digital modes. The newsletter can be downloaded from the Intruder Watch Service page on iaru-r1.org
Items for Inclusion in Next Week's Radio News
That is the news for this week. Thanks to everyone for sending items into the weekly IRTS radio news. They are very much appreciated and are a great way to update the rest of the community about activities. If you have any club events, news, meetings, or other items of interest, you are very welcome to email the radio news editor Keith EI5IN via email to newsteam /at/ irts.ie with the details. The deadline is midnight on Thursdays. Items intended for inclusion in Echo Ireland should be sent to echoireland /at/ irts.ie.
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