Amateur radio club gets Lottery award

The Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has been awarded nearly £5000 in Lottery funding
to assist with providing community-based radio projects.

The projects will include supporting the Radio Amateur Emergency Network in providing communications coverage for disaster and emergency exercises (and the real thing, if necessary).

The grant will primarily be used to equip a portable radio station with a 25-foot trailer tower with antennas, and a portable generator system to enable the station to provide communications services without mains power or the normal mobile phone networks.

This 'stand alone' capability will allow the club to contribute to the telecommunications infrastructure supporting long-distance sporting events, such as marathons and cycle races, and involve race control in isolated places.

In addition, the grant will provide funds for working with local youth organisations such as Scouts and Guides, as well as other public projects to broaden awareness of amateur radio, provide an enthusiastic introduction to the science and technology of radio, and to serve the local community.