ISLE OF WIGHT RADIO SOCIETY
Note:- Sept 2005. Most of this was written in 1999, a few items have been updated but much is a little dated but the Club thrives..
The Society is now in it's fortieth year (Written in1999?? Yes 46th anniversary
2005). During this time
Amateur Radio has moved on to encompass computing and other
modern technology, but some things have not changed. The thrill
of passing your Radio Amateur's Examination and making your first
transmission, the excitement of working a distant or rare station
or the fun of building and testing your own equipment are the
cornerstones of this fascinating hobby and have passed from one
generation to another. Our club has served the Isle of Wight
community over the years by providing the means to earn a licence,
and supporting them after they have passed. It is the only club
on the island that offers lessons up to a full class 'A' 
licence. The recent move to Bembridge, however,
has given club members exciting new opportunities with the
greatly improved facilities.
The newly refurbished premises offer a large and fully
equipped HF shack, a separate VHF shack, a well-equipped workshop
area, an extensive lecture and meeting room, a kitchen area with
tables and seating, a storage room and 
toilet facilities. It is located well away
from other buildings high above sea level, with an HF wire
antenna 240 feet long, easily suitable for efficient topband
working. Nearby are the Nab bars and holiday park facilities.
Club members have the use of some of these facilities.
Additionally the beach and sea offer pleasant views and further possibilities for barbecues and social gatherings during the summer months.
What else do we offer ?
The Isle of Wight Radio Society caters for all interests in the field of Radio. We were affiliated to the National Wireless Museum GB3WM, sadly no more in existence, through our Hon. President Douglas Byrne G3KPO, and so share an interest in the history of the hobby. We are also affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain. The club callsign G3SKY is a familiar one on the airwaves.
Shortwave listening is another popular aspect of Amateur Radio, indeed we cater for those interested in listening to all bands, including the broadcast bands.
An important aspect of the hobby nowadays is computing, and we offer full packet facilities at the club together with logging software and other sundries. We have a strong interest in morse code amongst the membership. We offer lessons as part of the RAE course requirements, and also transmit regularly in this mode. Amateur Television is another growing interest, and we regularly transmit and receive pictures in slowscan and fastscan on club nights. We have data and satellite facilities now (2005)
The club has its own 2-metre net on Wednesday evenings for
members and others to keep 
up
straight with the latest club news. Club nights are on Fridays
from 7 pm. There are many possible activities to choose from:
talks and lectures are arranged periodically, the shacks are
available for use by licensed persons, or under supervision by non-licensed persons, the workshop is available with expert help
at hand for building, testing or repairing equipment, and there's
no shortage of advice for those who need it over a cup of tea or
coffee. Additionally, demonstrations are arranged from time to
time. But that's not all. Read on to see what else the club has
to offer.....
We man a number of Special Event Stations around the island during the year. These stations are open to the public and commemorate or celebrate some special occasion, and help give publicity to it. Contests The IWRS takes part in several contests during the year. CW (Morse Code), SSB (Phone) HF and VHF add variety to the challenge.
Youth Work. We help the Scouts and Guides twice a year with badge work. Visits. The Air Traffic Control Centre, Swanwick, is one of many places visited recently. Also the Royal Mail Sorting Office at Portsmouth and the IW Astronomical Society Observatory.
Social evenings include partners or friends
Project Work. The members have worked hard to refurbish the premises.
Rallies provide a means of
raising funds as well as finding some real bargains. There are
several each year
What Have We Done?
Recently the club entered the HF Portable Field Day Contest. This is an annual 24-hour event which involved much planning in advance, and technical innovation. We operated inside a large tent using generators for power and lighting. We had to erect temporary aerials. We had to make provision for housekeeping. We had to learn to use a computer to log the stations we worked. We had to work as a team throughout the period, monitor our progress and make quick decisions. A memorable weekend. Plans are underway to take part again this September.
Fancy kite flying? Another interesting
challenge which again required some thought 
beforehand, especially with regard to safety.
We flew a kite at a height of two hundred feet with an aerial
attached, and investigated its performance. Our operations were
carried out on Boniface Down from inside a member's motor home.
Again, good fun. We plan to repeat this exercise during the
summer. How about transmitting and receiving TV pictures from the
top of a hill? It can be done of course, and that is our next
challenge. Interested in taking part? We will be planning this
soon.
Or maybe you would rather build a simple receiver and compete against others using it? With simple direction-finding equipment you have the makings of a great game - take off in your car in pairs and find the hidden transmitter.
Perhaps you would like to take part in the National
Lighthouse weekend, and activate a lighthouse with a special
event station? We have done something similar at Calbourne Water
Mill & Museum and Havenstreet Railway Station in the past.
What about joining in with the RAE lessons on Friday evenings and
brushing up on the basics? Courses begin in September, subject to
demand, and cost only £1.00 per week for non- members! How's
that for value? Or what about learning or brushing up on your
Morse Code? Practice sessions are available on demand. Whatever
your interest in the field of Radio, the Isle of Wight Radio
Society will cater for you. The club is a friendly one, and its
members want to try new activities and have some fun. 
If you would like to know more about the Isle of Wight Radio Society please ring Alan Reeves G4ZFQ on 240340.
More Information. Weekly nets are held on Thursdays at 8.30 pm local time on 145.375 +/- MHz.
We hope to see you soon!
gforzfq@onwight.net (Only checked every few days.)