2023 AGM of Donegal Amateur Radio Club

Polo shirts on display by the incoming 2023 committee: Secretary David Barnes EI5IMB, Treasurer Jason McGarrigle EI9LB and Chairman Paul Sinclair EI5GTB

Our 2023 AGM got off to a frosty start – not that there were any arguments…! but the weather was so bad with the recent snow and icy spell so we had to postpone for 2 weeks! Thankfully the Tuesday 31st January the conditions were much better for our meeting which took place in Donegal Town in the Castle Bar.

Looking back at 2022

Secretary Paul EI5GTB recalled the past AGM’s minutes and it was very positive reading as during the year of 2022 we hit the majority of the targets we had set. This includes the printing of a club banner to display at club events (many thanks to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society/ IRTS for funding this). Also our repeater officer David EI5IMB did great work on the repeater on Truskmore, and tracked down some persistent RFI, and it’s all fully functioning, covering a massive area, and is proving very popular. We also designed and printed Polo Shirts with the club logo on them.

Insurance was also arranged for paid up club members via the IRTS on club events and lots of other small club targets were met. All thanks to the club members for 2022 and to those who have renewed for their support, and the very kind donations also – without this we could not undertake the works done so far.

Looking Ahead

A number of projects were discussed for this year including:

  • The feasibility of linking the repeater to other locations to expand our range.
  • Another order of Polo shirts may be possible this year
  • A call-in net on the 2m repeater to encourage more in-range to get on the air
  • Outdoor activations by the club to get a chance to meet other members & the public
  • Encourage new entrants to the hobby and to help with exam prep if needed
  • If anyone is wishing to learn morse code this year we can help and will happily arrange a few skeds with club members to practice

New Committee

After election promises were made, and a keenly contested vote was taken, the new committee emerged on the first count as follows:

Chairperson: Paul Sinclair EI5GTB
Secretary: David Barnes EI5IMB
Treasurer: Jason McGarrigle EI9LB

We look forward to meeting more of you all during the year and events will be promoted on our Facebook page or by an email directly to club members.