TOG Hackerspace members standing behind an amateur radio display stand at the IRTS AGM weekend in Shannon, with radios, banners, flyers, and a colourful costumed attendee beside them.

Thanks to the Limerick and Clare Amateur Radio Club for a brilliant weekend in Shannon for the @irts.bsky.social 93rd AGM weekend.

We had a great time meeting people, chatting radio, showing off some of what we get up to in TOG.

www.tog.ie/gallery/ngga...
#AmateurRadio

That’s a wrap for the 2026 IRTS AGM, congratulations to Jeffrey our newly elected society president! 🍾🎉
#hamradio #amateurradio

IRTS would like to thank Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club for hosting this year’s AGM and look forward to seeing many members in person. Make sure to take part in the great workshops and radio rally throughout the weekend! Detailed agenda at: www.limerickclareamateurradioclub.ie/site/irts/ag...

Phone screenshot showing Parks on the Air spots and logs, including multiple entries for EI0TOG operating from Ticknock Forest, IE-0116.

Three people pose for a selfie on a grassy forest hillside beside portable radio equipment during a successful outdoor radio outing.

Two people sit on a grassy bank in Ticknock Forest, checking a phone and portable radio equipment during an outdoor amateur radio activation

Two people sit among trees on a hillside with portable radio gear and an antenna wire visible above them during a Parks on the Air activation.

Yesterday we were out in Ticknock Forest, IE-0116 for our Easter Monday POTA activation.
Great to get EI0TOG on the air, make plenty of contacts, and enjoy a good day out in the Mountains.
Thanks to Declan EI9HQ, Paraic EI2LH, Tomasz EI3106 & Jeffrey EI7IRB for taking part.
#POTA @irts.bsky.social

Icom IC-705 transceiver laying on grass tuned to 145.300 MHz for the 2m contest.

VHF/UHF antenna raised above the ground on a white mast in front of a field. A coniferous forest can be seen in the background along with a cloudy sky.

Today I did a POTA activation with @togdublin.bsky.social on the 40m and 20m bands in Ticknock Forest. Jeffrey (EI7IRB) led the activation using the club callsign EI0TOG. We have also taken part in the IRTS 70cm and 2m County Contests.
#POTA #HamRadio @irts.bsky.social

On the afternoon of Easter Monday (tomorrow 6th), we're inviting hams to take part in 2m & 70cm counties contests, both SSB & FM modes are welcome, exchange includes signal report + serial number + county name, please refer to irts.ie/contests for scoring details and rules.

Selfie of Jeffrey Roe outdoors beside a portable radio setup and a Parks on the Air flag, wearing a blue jacket and cycling gloves during a previous activation.

Portable amateur radio setup on a table outdoors, showing a compact transceiver, microphone, battery pack and power cables ready for a Parks on the Air activation.

TOG Hackerspace is heading to Ticknock Forest for a POTA activation on Easter Monday, 6 April.
We’ll be on air as EI0TOG, with EI7IRB leading the activation. Come along in person or listen out for us on the bands.

More info: www.tog.ie/2026/04/pota...

#POTA #HamRadio @irts.bsky.social

A home-made 4m radio antenna mounted outside a building during testing at TOG Hackerspace.

A lovely bit of radio experimenting in the space last night.

Daniel EI8ICB was testing a home-made 4m antenna and managed a QSO with EI3IXB, David Gardiner from South Dublin Radio Club.

Hard to beat seeing homebrew gear working on air. 📡 @irts.bsky.social

Got something for the Echo Ireland journal? Pleases send your articles to echoireland@irts.ie (new address) 📬. Radio news still goes to newsteam@irts.ie. Keep those stories coming! 🎙️

IRTS Examination Board has now announced the next HAREC exam will take place on Saturday 16th of May at Clayton Hotel near Dublin airport. Space's limited, please submit the application irts.ie/exams. Please address further inquiries to Mick EI6IKB irts_exams@irts.ie

We're seeking nominations for this year’s awards, categories include exceptional service, education/training service, news/media excellence, affiliated club representation, and hobby promotion. Send nominations with rationale to awards@irts.ie before midday March 20th. More at: irts.ie/awards

Radio shack showcase 📡 QRP home brew CW rig, covering 80m-10m bands, touch activated twin paddle, accessories include ATU, SWR metre, antenna switch (photo courtesy of Tony Breathnach EI5EM)

The first YOTA Contest of 2026 is on Sunday, Mar 15 (10:00–22:00 UTC)! Operators EI5LA, M0UEL, M0VUF & F4IEY will be on air operating as EI0Y, with thanks to the EI7M contest group for their hospitality. Hope to hear plenty of stations joining in! Read more: yotacontest.mrasz.org/rules-2026

Welcome Pádraig Ó Lúnaigh EI8JAB as our new QSL Outwards Manager, and thanks to Andreas Kull EI9IOB for four years of great service! Jeffrey Roe EI7IRB, our ComReg Liaison Officer, keeps communication open with ComReg, email him at comreg_liaison@irts.ie for any regulatory or licensing questions.

Spring’s here - perfect for outdoor radio fun! 🌤️ IRTS reminds everyone to stay safe. Membership includes public liability insurance (irts.ie/insurance). Licence exams are twice yearly, start studying now with free materials at irts.ie/study. Enjoy the season!

Thanks everyone for an amazing ham radio rally at Coolmine today!

The 2026 Coolmine Rally, run by Phoenix Amateur Radio Club, takes place on Sunday 15 February 2026 at Coolmine Community School, Dublin D15 FW97, with doors opening at 10 a.m. Mark EI4FNB, IRTS awards curator, will attend, so this is a good chance to arrange the return of trophies.

Thanks Andreas Kull EI9IOB for his outstanding service over 4 years as QSL office manager. Contact irts_secretary@irts.ie if you wish to apply for this role. And welcome Stefan Zalewski EI4KU as HF Manager and Richard Hendy MI3CQR as Automatic Station Coordinator - best wishes for their success!

The Coolmine Rally is on Sunday 15 Feb, IRTS will be present for casual chats about our work. IRTS awards curator Mark Kilmartin will also be collecting award trophies from the previous winners, please return yours so they can go to the new recipients.

For more details: www.irts.ie/cgi/thisweek...

Thanks to Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club for hosting IRTS AGM Weekend 18th-19th April at Traceys Oakwood Hotel. Full events ahead—stay tuned for accommodation & booking details!