INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK
NEWSLETTER, May 2025
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of the International Radio Network Newsletter. We hope to produce a Newsletter every month, to provide our members with news and information about the IRN, as well as information about how to become a member, how to connect, and what the IRN is all about.
It is also our intention to invite members to add content to the Newsletters going forward, to share personal stories, technical information, equipment reviews, radio-related jokes or fun-facts, and anything else that would be of interest to our members. So, this first Newsletter will be quite basic, with the ambition to build on it as the months go on, with your help and your own contributions.
The IRN community was shocked and saddened when we lost our great friend and IRN owner, KB1UPZ Uncle Bob, who went silent key on 17 March this year. Uncle Bob made sure that he established a great team around him, and we will continue to make the IRN a great Network and advance the hopes and ambitions that Uncle Bob had for the IRN, and make him proud of what we achieve.
With that in mind, the IRN Admin team have updated our website www.irn.rado and revised our written Mission, Aims and Objectives, which are as follows.
Mission
The International Radio Network’s mission is to promote the amateur radio hobby to those interested in radio communications. We welcome licensed and non-licensed operators, giving those with an interest the opportunity to gain experience in radio communications, theory, technology and fellowship.
The International Radio Network has been in existence for many years and has a considerable number of licensed amateur radio operators from all around the world. We also welcome unlicensed radio enthusiasts and short wave listeners to our membership, many of which go on to achieve their own amateur radio license.
Purpose, Aims and Objectives
To provide a reliable radio Network for the use by licensed radio amateurs, offering a range of methods and modes of communication, including analogue and digital modes
To build partnerships and connections with other amateur radio Groups and Networks
To provide regular nets, special events and other activities that promote the use of the Network and for the benefit and enjoyment of its members and users
To welcome unlicensed members and provide them with support to learn about the amateur radio hobby, ham radio etiquette and encourage them to apply for their own amateur radio license
To provide unlicensed members with a reliable platform on which to communicate and experience ham radio practice, with NO RF connection
To ensure that the Network is a safe and family-friendly place at all times, and take quick action where that is threatened in any way
To experiment with new technologies and modes of amateur radio operating
Membership and Getting Connected
If you are not already a member of the IRN, it is free and easy to do so. Just visit our website www.irn.radio and click on ‘Register’. Follow the instructions and we will be delighted to include your Amateur Radio Callsign on our database, and if you are not licensed, we will give you an IRN Callsign/Number. Licensed members have full access to all our connections, and non-licensed members have access to the connections that have no RF links.
Importantly, to be ‘trusted’ on our Zello channels, or to be given ‘talk permissions’ on the Teamspeak platform, you must register using the above link on the website.
Nets Report
We hold regular Nets for our members and visitors throughout the week. They include the following:
IRN Sunday net - every Sunday, 8:00pm Eastern, 1:00am Monday UK time with regular Net Controller VE3XDB Doug.
Friendship net - every Monday, 5:00pm Eastern, 10:00pm UK time with regular Net Controller VE6DCV Dave.
Coffee net - every Wednesday, 5:00pm Eastern, 10:00pm UK time with regular Net Controller 11IRN610 Shorn.
KB1 Multimode net - every Friday, 4:00pm Eastern, 9:00pm UK time with regular Net Controllers MM7HQS Helen and GM0UUB Graham.
For full details of the Nets and connections, please visit https://www.irn.radio/nets
The Friday KB1 Multimode Net is only available to licensed amateur radio operators as it is linked to various analogue and digital links going out on RF repeaters, gateways, nodes and Networks around the world. The other 3 Nets are open to all to participate as there are no RF links. Those Nets do link with other groups, including ZMR, WWARG and we now have the Network Radios group (on their Channel 03) linked in for both the Monday and Wednesday Nets. We very much enjoy building links, increasing participation, and encouraging communication on a fun and family-friendly platform.
The IRN is also privileged to have exceptional ‘stand-by’ net Controllers to look after the Nets when the regular Net Controllers are busy (isn’t it a pain when life and work interferes with the radio hobby?!)
Over the last couple of months, we have relied a lot on our stand-by Net Controllers, and they have done such a wonderful job, and we are so grateful and thankful to have such talented operators to step in when asked. A special thanks to them, and they are, 2W0KYH Declan, M7POV Josh, 8WAR717 Barry and GW8SZL Dave. Thanks to each and all of them, their support is very much appreciated.
Invitation for Contributions and Contact Information
As mentioned earlier, we want to invite members to add content to the Newsletters going forward, to share personal stories, technical information, equipment reviews, radio-related jokes or fun-facts, and anything else that would be of interest to our members. For example, personal stories about what got you into the radio hobby are always interesting.
Please submit / email suggestions and information to irnhamradio@gmail.com
You can also email us with any questions or additional comments and ideas using the above email address.
I want to thank all IRN members and everyone involved in making the IRN Network such a brilliant place to be. Our ambition will always be to build connections and encourage everyone interested in radio communications to enjoy participating and connecting with like-minded people all around the world, and have lots of fun in doing so.
Graham M Matthews
President, International Radio Network
IRN Admin Team
Graham M Matthews GM0UUB - President
Ralph Streb K8TCP
Doug Behl VE3XDB
Helen Matthews MM7HQS
Bruce Lenton M0UKB
Gareth Steele G0WUR
Dave Phillips GW8SZL
Gareth Jackson M6IGJ