Live radio demos, callsign patches, advanced soldering and talks, followed by TOG’s open social and pizza night.

Come along to TOG for a day of amateur radio, practical demos, making and a bit of messing. We’ll have a portable mast to explore, packet radio to try, callsign patches to make and soldering projects to challenge your skills.

Part of our Radio & Retro Weekend, this event is open to radio amateurs, makers and anyone curious about the hobby. You don’t need a radio licence to attend.

From 12:00 | Radio demos and callsign patches

Pump-up mast demonstration — Ben Field, EI9IUB

Ben will demonstrate his trailer-mounted mast, built around an ex-MOD Sankey trailer and a Clark SCAM 12 mast. The setup normally carries a hexbeam antenna and rotator at the top, with a dipole for the lower bands.

Come and see how it works, ask questions and chat about putting together a portable radio station.

Packet radio — Victor, EI5IYB

Earlier this year, TOG joined the packet radio network. Now you can come and see it in action.

Vic will give practical demonstrations of connecting to and using the network, and introduce the applications being built on top of it. Discover how computers communicate over radio, with uses including messaging, group chat and services providing news and weather.

Thanks to the Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) (https://www.oarc.uk) for supporting this part of the programme.

Make your own callsign patch with Tree

Tree will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate TOG’s new industrial embroidery machine and help visitors make their own callsign patches.

Come in, learn how the machine works and see your callsign turned into a patch.

Thanks to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) (https://www.irts.ie/cgi/index.cgi) for part funding the consumables through its Promoting Amateur Radio Fund. Donations towards the cost of materials are welcome.

13:00 and 14:00 | Advanced soldering workshops

Already know how to solder and want to take it to the next level? We have a range of kits for you to put your skills to the test.

These informal workshops start at 13:00 and 14:00, with instructors on hand to help you get started and work through the tricky bits. Kits cost €10–€20, depending on which you choose. Soldering irons are provided.

15:00–18:00 | Three radio talks

15:00 | Making Room for the Whimsical in Amateur Radio - Jeffrey Roe, EI7IRB

From Toilets on the Air to sending cat pictures with EI0MEOW, amateur radio has plenty of room for a bit of messing. Jeffrey explores playful projects, lightbulb antennas and Halloween Morse events, asking how we can encourage unusual ideas in our clubs.

A talk about curiosity, experimentation and enjoying radio simply because it makes us smile.

16:00 | Radiosondes: Radio and Weather Balloons - Met Éireann

An introduction to radiosondes, the instruments carried by weather balloons, and how radio is used to send atmospheric measurements back to the ground.

17:00 | Radio skills, skills for life - Vic, EI5IYB

Amateur Radio is a technical hobby but not only. It is a hobby of many hobbies, from mechanical engineering and communication skills to project management. In this talk, Vic will explore the skills that are gained in the ham radio hobby and how they transfer into your personal and professional life.

From 18:00 | TOG Open Social & Pizza Night

Stay around after the talks for TOG’s October Open Social. The pizza oven will be fired up, and everyone is welcome to meet TOG members and visitors, show off projects and talk radio, electronics and making into the evening.

Start your day with satellites

Want to join us earlier? Our Build Your Own Satellite Ground Station workshop runs from 10:00–11:30 and has separate booking:

Book the satellite ground station workshop (https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/build-your-own-satellite-ground-station-tickets-2002792709909?aff=oddtdtcreator)

This event is made possible with support from Dublin City Council.

Come for a demo, try a project or stay for the whole day. We look forward to seeing you.

Description supplied by the event organiser.