Galway VHF Group is an Amateur Radio group located in Galway in the West of Ireland.
The Galway VHF Group was formed in 1983 and was probably one of the first groups dedicated to the Amateur Radio Emergency Network (AREN) in Ireland. The purpose of the group is to provide assistance in handling radio traffic from point to point during emergency situations, such as national disasters or major accident situations where existing bodies such as Garda, Fire Brigade & Ambulance services maybe overwhelmed with communications at the time. Operations such as message handling for the emergency services provides many a challenge in the selection of equipment used and the operating skills of the members of the Galway VHF Group. Other skills are the manufacture of antenna systems and modification of equipment to reach our requirements for each occasion. Our standard Operating Procedures Manual was utilised by the National Amateur Emergency Network organisation.
The Galway VHF Group have provided communications and worked along side the Galway Civil Defence on many occasions which has been of great benefit to both organisations. As a result of this liaison the Galway VHF Group and the Galway Civil Defence formed the Burren Walking Club and run the Burren Walk together each year. To date the Galway VHF Group continues to provide communications back up for the following events:
- Galway International Car Rally
- Galway Head of the River Rowing Event
- Croi Charity Cycle around Lough Corrib
- Galway Motor Club Hill Climb
- Galway Regatta
- Castlebar 4 Days Walking Festival
- Galway Walking Club Marathon
- Burren Walk
- Croi Maumeen Walk
- Equestrian Cross Country Events.
For many of the events VHF and UHF line of sight communications will suffice. For the more wide spread events in mountainous terrain or those which cover greater than line of sight distances HF (near medium wave) communications equipment is utilised which has proven successful from one side of County Galway to the other. The use of packet radio modems, allow the transmission of telex messages and speedy file transfer of information and pictures over the airwaves.
The Galway VHF Group also participates in field day events which involve setting up equipment in remote places powered by batteries or small generators. One of the most challenging was to operate VHF, UHF and HF stations on Croagh Patrick. This involved carrying three radio stations plus power supplies to the peak where the small church is located.
Our Club Callsign is EI4ALE.
Our Club Net Frequencys are 145.450 MHz & 433.450 MHz
For more information regarding the Galway VHF Group, please feel free to contact Steve Wright at aren@galwayvhfgroup.com or phone 087-2451218
