Friday News | Isle of Wight Radio Society

160m Contest. Not for the faint hearted!

Editor — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:18:36 +0000

The club enthusiastically participated in the RSGB 160m contest on Saturday night for the very first time, and it proved to be an invaluable learning experience for all involved. Navigating the intricacies of getting an antenna to function effectively on this band is no small feat, and certainly not the easiest task. However, the challenges we faced only served to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the complexities involved in amateur radio.

M9OPD says ” Busy night on the 160m club contest. Sandown beach with full size doublet. Bad bits = An hour & half to set up, chair broke so sat on tool box, computer freaked when I transmitted so had to do paper log, 7 degrees in van, late finish. Good bits = learnt lots, chatted to 3 members of the public, two club members popped in for a chat, saw a fox, had lots of fireworks on the beach, made 30 contacts and got through to the RSGB HQ for bonus points”

G0WXJ had slightly more comfortable surrounding and was able to erect a full size coublet which no doubt contributed to his great score. The club can always rely on him to get a big number.

The clubhouse was the venue for M0RQD, G8NHG and G2CNN but suffered from some severe RF invasion which meant that it was very difficult to operate and so decided it was safer to stop after an hour. This will be looked into so that an effective solution can be found.

Friday Night

Editor — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:35:51 +0000

Another busy night at the club with 2 new members and another one who came for a tour and to meet everyone. The shack was really busy. The radios were all being used and some great conversations were going on.

Busy Friday Night in the shack again

Editor — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:03:39 +0000

The HF set was in use by Chris G7IVF and Damiano M1NCR was demonstrating the sattelite system for receiving QO100 signals. The transmitter side is in progress and should be finished soon. This will give the club the ability to send and receive from the geostationary sattelite

While on the technical bench Alan and Carl were busy trying to fix the signal generator that has been baffling everyone for ages. Many components have been replaced but it remains non functioning.

Marconi Net

Editor — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:38:47 +0000

The Marconi Net happens on the 2nd Saturday of each month 1900Hrs UK Local Time. Come along and talk to our American members and their club members via GB3IW or Echolink through the repeater. Thanks to everyone who came along and to Bill KF4MCG who is the net controller.

Bembridge Lifeboat Day

Editor — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 15:28:50 +0000

From 11:00 to 16:30 on Saturday 24th August, the lifeboat station at Lane End will be open for visitors to view both the inshore and All Weather lifeboats and see the history of the lifeboat on interactive displays in the offshore boathouse. The club will have both a VHF and HF station and you are invited to come along and play radio

The RNLI shop will be open all day, selling lifeboat gifts, clothing and souvenirs and there will be stalls selling books, jewellery and bric-a-brac, along with games and entertainment for all the family. The Lifeboat Guild members will be serving tea, coffee and refreshments from their stall, including homemade cakes, throughout the day.

As well as being a fun event for all the family, there is a serious aspect as well with the accent firmly on safety in, on, or around the water.

In conjunction with the RNLI’s ‘Respect the Water’ campaign, the RNLI Sea Safety stand will be present together with HM Coastguard, with information on how to keep safe in a marine environment and the Lifeboat’s Coastal Safety Officer will be present to offer advice. There will also be a lifejacket ‘clinic’ for boat users to have their lifejackets inspected and checked for safety and seaworthiness.

During the day, visitors will be able to watch both the Tamar class All Weather lifeboat and the D-class inshore lifeboat launch and carry out a spectacular demonstration display with a simulated ‘rescue’ in front of the shoreline. (Subject to operational availability).

The event is entirely free, but all money from donations, RNLI sales, and refreshments, will go directly towards the lifeboats, helping to save lives at sea.

Committee Meeting Sunday 28th July

Editor — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 15:08:56 +0000

Please come along, details will follow as always. Find out whats going on with the committee.

Committee Meeting on Sunday 30th June

Editor — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:43:33 +0000

Come along and find out what is happening at the club.

Paul Whitelock G0GMY Funeral

Editor — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:28:46 +0000

Pauls funeral will be held on Thursday 25th April at the IOW crematorium. If you are coming please be there by 12.30. Thanks.

Club AGM

Editor — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:16:14 +0000

The AGM was held on Friday 19th April and was attended by 28 of the members. Mark M0LXQ was voted onto the committee as club treasurer, to replace Jan M0LZS who was standing down. There was a motion to change the date of the meeting from a Friday to a Wednesday which after the vote remains a Friday.

G0GMY goes SK

Editor — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:40:21 +0000

It is with great sadness that the IOWRS says goodbye to Paul Whitelock. He was a staunch supported of the club and took upon himself many roles within and was an active participant in the clubs outdoor activities. He was a keen member of the Vectis Contest Group and enjoyed contesting along with CW chats with the members. He will be a great loss to the club and I for one send my condolences to his wife, Di, and all the family. He was a good friend and will be missed by us all.