Our last promotion of the group, our St Patrick Day 24 hour activation, 17th March went very well. We organised the St Patrick (Patron Saint of Ireland) Activation for Year 2000 to promote Ireland as a whole and to promote the Na Ceiltigh Radio Group.
The activation group consisted of Liam 68NC001, Mick 68NC002, Katy 68NC011, Roy 68NC117 and Geraldine 68NC444. Most of us had to work Thursday 16th and then travel down to Donegal which was roughly a three-hour drive due to holiday traffic. We arrived at the cottage about 10.00 p.m. to hot pitta bread etc. that Liam had ready and naturally a few beer. The big old green range was smoking away and the heat was powerful. Liam had the Amtron 99 already up and the radio?s SWR set. Our first call went out at 12.01 17th. Geraldine had pre-cooked a big pot of Irish Stew and as it simmered away on the range, dx-ing continued. We had various countries call in from their respective St Patrick Parades, New York, Toronto etc. making the atmosphere electric. In total we contacted 226 people plus 2 by proxy, total 228 and covered 32 countries. Propagation conditions were exceptional, the best in 10 years and held for 24 hours, at times we had QRM and many many calls could be heard at one time. Though we advertised no contribution, we are most grateful for all of you who sent IRC/dollars etc.
1,2,9,10,12,14,29,33,35,43,55,68,75,93,161,165,328 were all qsl confirmed, response was exceptional.
Thank you all for calling out enabling to make the day for us, we hope we may be fortunate enough to hear you all again.
As logic dictates, Saturday morning brought some bad heads. Never the less, Mick cooked a big Ulster Fry, consisting of the usual bacon, sausage, egg, potato bread, soda, pancake, tomato, mushrooms and fried onions (lots of calories). Mick, Katy and Liam went 5 kilometres up the road to fish under license, Roy and Geraldine copped the dishes (boiling water on the range) and still we dxed!! Mick caught a wild brown trout weighing in at 1 ½ lb so all in all a very good weekend was had by all,
The Very High 73s and 51s to each and everyone. Thank you again for your participation.
