Amateur Radio is a hobby that involves experimenting with and
operating homemade and commercial radio communications equipment.
Amateur radio operators (radio amateurs) enjoy using their knowledge and skill to communicate with
other radio amateurs who may be nearby or half-way around the world, using radio frequencies.
Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS)
IRTS is the national society for radio amateurs and experimenters in Ireland. Its purpose is to promote the study of radio communications, to encourage radio experimentation, to provide services to its members and represent their interests both nationally and internationally.
- The IRTS web site has a lot more.
I’d like to know more!
Early radio amateurs were pioneers in the techniques behind communications without wires. They designed and built their own transmitters, receivers and antennas; their experiments contributed greatly to the science of radio communications.
More than 100 years after these early amateur radio experiments, we live in a world of instant communications – using mobile phones, social media, Skype …
But anyone can use a mobile phone …
Our interest is in communicating with other like-minded people using our own skill to harness the power of radio waves.
Amateur radio is a hobby – our motives are social, not commercial, we enjoy …
- understanding how radio works
- communicating with others
- learning new skills
- investigating the mysteries of long distance propagation
Dig deeper, starting with the links on this page, to find out more ...
Amateur Radio Licensing
Amateur radio stations are licensed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). To get a licence, the station owners must pass an exam …
… but why is an exam needed?
As radio amateurs, we share the Radio Spectrum with other users: within allocated frequencies and modes,
we can transmit ‘anytime’ to ‘anywhere’ … on Earth or in Space.
We can design and construct our own transmitters and antennas, so … we must demonstrate that we know what we are doing!
- national and international regulations
- operational procedures
- basic understanding of radio theory
- safety & electromagnetic compatibility
Our exam info page has a lot more.